
Glass JISJO 
Book 



PRESKNTEI 





A HISTORY OF 

REGIMENTAL 

HEADQUARTERS 

COMPANY 




ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FOURTH 
U. S. FIELD ARTILLERY 



THE OTTERBE1N PRESS 
DAYTON, OHIO 









\ 



Copyright. 1919 

By L. E. KIRTLEY 

Akron, Ohio 

- 




To the Members of the Headquarters Company, 
Somewhere in the CI. S. A. 

Dear Fellows: 

After many delays your Company History is fin- 
ally completed, and here it is for yon to inspect, enjoy, 
add to, and keep forever. 

There is one thing I want to ask of you, each and 
every one. And this is what it is: Don't criticize the con 
tents! It will not please everybody. We know it is far 
from complete, and a great many changes had to be made 
in the original plans. But it has been an unselfish labor 
on the part of every one connected with it, and if it isn't 
entirely satisfactory just say to yourself, "What didn't 
I do that would have made it better?" 

The old outfit is a memory now to us all. We are 
back at work in civil life and things are different. We 
will miss the old bunch, but we need never lose the spirit 
of the two years we spent together. With the other 
editors I want to say. ''Remember the Headquarters ( Com- 
pany, and when you talk over war times with the children 
or friends, get the book out and boost the United States.*' 

Sincerely, 

LORIN KIRTLEY. 




FOREWORD 

To write at all is an art at which few of us can hope to excel. To write of 
passing events with an eye focused from the future is a real task. 'I "his little 
book is the story of two formative years of our lives and is the result of a spoken 
desire on the part of the Company for such a record of events. 

Many members oi the Company have helped make the work a success, and 
to each and every one who did his hit we express the appreciation of the entire 
outfit. 

Also our thanks go out to our friends outside of the Company who have 
given advice and assistance. 

The Editors. 

him niimiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii inn 



LIAISON 

In a military sense, liaison is the co-ordination of the various arms of the 
service, that is to say the co-ordination of the artillery with the infantry, the 
engineers, the signal corps, and so forth. By this co-ordination all arms of the 
ervice may work and act together to achieve a definite, common object, each arm 
doing its particular work, at the same time knowing what its fellow arms are doing 
and thus being able to guide its own movements and plans accordingly. 

Within a regiment, all organization must he in complete liaison; they must 
know what the regiment as a whole is doing or is to do, and what part each unit 
is to play so that all units may work together in complete' understanding and to 
their common objective. 

So we come to the Regimental Headquarters Company in a Field Artillery 
Regiment. This company co-ordinates the two battalions of the regiment with 
die regimental commander or his headquarters. It co-ordinates the artillery regi- 
ment with its artillery brigade headquarters and with the Infantry with which ii 
is working. 

The means of this co-ordination, the liaison, i> communication and this com- 
munication is supplied by groups of highly trained specialists composing the 
! ! eadquarters t a impany. 

In the company are telephone operators and linesmen, radio operators, pro 
jector operators | Mash signalling), semaphore operators i flag signalling), bicycle, 
motorcycle and mounted couriers, together with the scouts and runners. All of 
these many specialists may be used separately or all may be used jointly to get 
a message through. If one fails, the others will till the gap and the machine will 
continue to run. 

It is, by these groups of highly trained men to be found in Artillery Head- 
quarters Company, that the Commanding ( Ifficer directs .and controls the opera- 
tion of his fighting machine, the Field Artillery Regiment. 

Welton A. Snow, 
Captain and Adjutant. 134th Field Artillery. 



3ln Jflemoriam 



CAPTAIN HARRY H. HEDGES 

A military machine relies on many things for its efficiency and of these the 
one great big underlying essential is L( >YALTY. 

^ ithout this quality in officer and man all other things are as nothing. The 
most efficient, most experienced, the best trained officer or man is worthless un- 
less he has that quality which enables him to carry out the wishes and policy of 
Ins superiors without quibble or question. Loyalty to a leader does not mean 
that you must hold him in high personal regard. Tt does not mean that you 
must become a mere mechanical instrument of execution. Tt does not mean thai 
you must not, under any conditions, differ in opinion from your superior. Tt does 
not mean that you shall be forever holding up the minor of adulation to tin 
superior. Tt means that you so place yourself in relation to the superior thai 
you are able to see matters thru his eyes and when honestly unable to do so you 
can go to him with simple directness and state your differences. Such an atti- 
tude can never be misunderstood by any reasonable person, and the superior who 
has or can gather men around him who have this attribute can ever be reason 
ably sure his mistakes will neither be numerous or dangerous. 

Xo known method of instruction, no form of coercion will produce LOY- 
ALTY, and. unfortunately, it does not exi^t nor can it hi- cultivated in some 
natures. 

If any one should ask me what one quality was pre-eminent in Captain 
Harry H. Hedges. T would, without hesitation, say L( >YALTY. 

From the day he undertook the organization of the Eeadquarters Company 
of the 134th Field Artillery, he gave of his best, and when he passed into the greal 
beyond he left behind him only friends and admirers. 

fl. AT. Bush, 
Colonel 134th Field Artillery. 







# v <*m S$ 













14 



SECTION I 



Training in America 
and Overseas 



ORGANIZATION AND TRAINING IN AMERICA 

Prior to the declaration of war with Germany, there was in the State of 
Ohio one Battalion of Field Artillery, composed of three batteries of one hun- 
dred and ninety-one men each, and a Headquarters Detachment of seventeen 
men. On the declaration of war April 15, 1917, this Battalion was at Fort Sheri- 
dan. Illinois, waiting to be mustered out of the Federal Service after serving- 
eight months on the Mexican border. An order came through immediately hold- 
ing this Battalion in service and making it a nucleus around which the First Ohio 
Field Artillery was formed. On the last day of April orders were received to 
proceed to Camp Perry. ( >hio, and it was thought that Camp Perry would be 
made a mobilization cam]) for the new Kegiment. However, in the latter part of 
May a flood from Lake Erie made this camp unfit for any training. ( >n the 28th 
of June the Battalion was ordered to Fort Benjamin Harrison. Indiana, as an 
instruction Battalion. Arriving there on June 29th, they worked as instructors 
in the First Reserve Officers' Training Camp, and received high praise from both 
the officer instructors and the students. 

This is the history of the Fleadquarters Company. Therefore, it is necessary 
to record the chain of events leading up to the recruiting and organization of the 
Company. The first part of July, Major Harold M. Bush received orders to 
recruit a Regiment up to war strength, promoting him to the rank of Colonel 
and designating the Regiment as the 134th I*. S. Field Artillery. This order 
also promoted Captain Hurl J. Albrecht, Battery B to Lieutenant Colonel; Capt. 
Evan J. Williams. Battery A. to Major, Commanding the First Battalion; Capt. 
Lawrence S. Schlegel, Battery C, to Major. Commanding the Second Battalion, 
Lieut. Welton A. Snow was promoted to Captain. Commanding the Headquarters 
Company; Instrument Sergeant Harry II. Hedge'-. Battery B, was commissioned 
First Lieutenant and detailed as recruiting officer in the Canton-Akron district. 

I\K( RUITING. 

Lieutenant Hedges opened his office on July 13th, 1917, and started recruit- 
ing a Headquarters Company and Hand. It is said that Lieutenant Hedges used 
the old-time methods of the recruiting officers of the Field Artillery: "Every man 
gets a horse, no walking, no guard duty, no kitchen police" and so forth. Most 



1-' THE LIAISON 

ol the men did not know what those things were anyway, so it did not matter. 
His methods must have been good for too much cannot be said of the quality 
ol the men he enlisted. 

I he Company was organized and went into cam]) at Silver Lake, Ohio, 
about the middle of July. They were dialled and some of the roughest edges were 
taken oil in this cam]). This drill was foot drill, long hikes into the country, 
and many rounds on the race track each day. These hikes and the running gol 
the men into pretty fail- physical condition They were allowed quite a lot ol' 
liberties and many of the men went to their homes each night rather than sleep 
m pup tents or campers' tents at the lake, these being the only quarters available 
at the time. 

I he 13th ot September saw a detail of fifty men leave for Fort Ben. The) 
were followed on the 27th by the rest of the Company and the hand enroute for 
Cam]) Sheridan, Alabama. This detachment went by way of Fort Ben where 
they were joined by the Headquarters men who were there- It was on this 
occasion that Colonel Bush reviewed the Band for the first time — in his night 
shirt. Leaving Fort Ben at 1 :15 p. m. on the 28th, we arrived at Montgomery, 
Alabama, on the 30th and pulled out to camp tin- same day. The Second Bat- 
talion, recruited at Dayton, Jackson and Alt. \ r ernon, had arrived there some 
days before. We were followed, in two weeks, by the First Battalion, from 
Fort Ben. 

(am]) Sheridan was the mobilization and training camp for the 37th 
Hi- "Buckeye" Division. The Division was commanded by .Major General 
I reat. The 134th was assigned to the 62nd Field Artillery Brigade, commanded 
by Brigadier General William ( i. Smith. 

Cam p Si i eridan. 
When the Headquarters Company arrived at Camp Sheridan we found a 
most disagreeable place. Part ol the camp was flooded and some of the Infantry 
who were there had to move to higher ground, hut we were lucky enough to gel 
just "mud" lor our share. We unloaded, put up tents, and temporary picket 
lines, and got straightened around in general. A couple of weeks time was 
necessary for the fixing up of the tents and baggage of the officers and men. 
Then the work of cleaning and fixing up the cam]) started. Huge drill fields 
and a gnu park were cleared of brush, weed- ami cotton .stalks, and leveled off 
to the besl ot our ability. I he picket lines were also put in shape for per- 
manent Use. 

The training of the Regiment started, for the Headquarters Company 
this meant that there were classes in half a dozen different things every daw We 
had classes in telephone work, wireless, semaphore, wigwag, messenger and 
instrument work. Each man was supposed to he able to take over any other 
man's work ii necessary. This idea was followed out for several months when 
a was found that this system was impossible, for a good wireless man might 
Mia amount to anything as an instrument man. So tin- men were assigned to 
detail- where they knew most about the work and where they specialized on 
one job. There were a few changes made, ol course, hut the different details 



Washing Mass- kitj 



R./ttiE A BASING THZ: GUARD 




.wtf 



G£7-T-/A/S THE. MAIL. 



THE LIAISON 15 

remained practically the same all through the training and the war. The men 
were interested in their work and went into it whole-heartedly. 

In addition to the detail work we had to learn to ride. This was one of 
the most pleasant and at the same time the most painful of all of our exper- 
iences. Mot all of us had at least seen horses before enlisting, hut few of us 
had become intimate with them. The horses we had were what are generally 
called nags. Their contours were very abrupt in some places and afforded good 
hand holds, hut were most inconvenient in other ways. At first, while doing 
monkey drill, we tried to get friendly enough with our mounts to have them 
let us stay on their backs. Hut they did not like us very well and it was not 
uncommon to hear a veil and then see some poor unfortunate go sprawling onto 
the ground, grabbing at anything that was hand}-. In all of these falls there were 
no serious results excepting in the case of Taylor Whittaker who stopped the 
earth with his hands one day and received a broken wrist. Then we had three 
awful days of it under Captain llollenback, and were finally passed as good 
enough. Some of the men were such good horsemen and liked it so well that 
they could scarcely sit down to their meals they were so anxious to get back 
at it. Most all of us wanted to get back at the instructors who sat in the center 
of the bull ring and told us what to do and then laughed at us for not being able 
to do it. 

Picks and Shovels. 

They gave us a horse and told us to ride. 
But we didn't see the pick on the other side. 

They should have ptit the pick and shovel on the nice posters that we -aw 
telling of all the nice things in the Army. Hut some of us would have enlisted 
anyway, so it does not make much difference. There was plenty of pick and 
shovel work to do. The < >ld Man saw to that ; he was a firm believer in plenty 
of strenuous work. When the cam]) had been cleaned up and the picket lines 
put in good shape he looked around for more and was very successful in bis search. 
All of the old roads had to be repaired, new ones built, and miles of ditches bad 
to be dug. About that time the new stables were built, and of course the stalls 
had to be leveled off. Also they were not right and had to lie changed at least 
once a week, for they were inspected that often and every inspector bad different 
ideas as to how they should be fixed. Xo one will forget the 4x20x18 that had 
to be finished up by working at night. 

In tact to set' all the pick and shovel work going on around the cam]) one 
would be led to think that it was a great factor in winning a war. And it was. 
It put the fellows in tine shape, and then we did have quite a lot of it to do on 
the front. 

lii i . Coliseum. 

The cam]) was built around an old county fair grounds and one of the old 
buildings, the largest, was remodeled for use as an auditorium and theater. It 
was a huge >ucce>s. A great many good shows that were too big to be put on 
at the theater down town were put on there. The best part of it was that the 



16 



THE LIAISON 



Smileage coupons that were sent from home were good there'. When there 
were no regular shows on there were some good movies or a lecture. We en- 
ji wed it very much. 

The big Christmas celebration was held in this building. Governor Cox 
came down from < >hio and gave out the presents dial were provided by the Red 
Cross for the soldiers in camp. 

Uong in the spring they held the "foolish" examination there. Every- 
body had to go over and draw pictures and put down funny sayings and be 
graded on them. They called it a psychological examination. If that was 
psychology the most of us do not shine in that line. 

A Tkl I' A( KosS III E R EVER. 

It was decided that the scout detail needed instruction and practice in map 
drawing. The scouts of the entire company were detailed to map the country 
lying between the camp and the Alabama river. The map was finished in about 
ten days and the Colonel was so well pleased that he sent the detail across the 
river to complete the map as far as the L. & \. railroad. 

Thee started out one afternoon in the latter part of April — a party oi 
eighteen mounted men with an old escort wagon — rode out to the Coosada ferry, 
were ferried across the river and rode three and a half miles up stream to a .-mail 
grove. Arriving there about dusk it was decided to camp there lor the night. 
Picket lines were up and packs off the horses when an automobile drove up. 
The owner of the grove hopped out and ordered the men out. Since obeying 
orders was one of the best things that they did they packed up and moved down 
the river about a quarter of a mile and made camp in a field. 

The work was started under the direction of Saw-mill Jones. Four parties 
went out' one laid out and chained the base line for the whole thing; tin- other 
three parties started at the same point and worked in different directions. It was 
their job to "take" the topograph) and draw in the map on their plane tables. 

"I lard Charlie" Bullock who was acting mess sergeant and cook made a trip 
hack across the river for more supplies. Skinny Billiard, having nothing to do. 
decided to come over to take care of the horses and have a good time. Bullock 
had one man to help him around the camp. The issue tomatoes and bacon were 
traded in at a small commissary near the "forbidden grove," lor perfectly good 
chickens and eggs. It was at this commissary that Saw -mill showed himsell 
a "hard guy." The negroes were going to hold a dancing party on Friday night 
and invited the boys. Saw-mill pulled out his brush knife, about two feel long, 
and said. "I'll he there." A big "buck nigger" spoke up with. "Yas. sub. Boss, and 
Ah reckun you all kin have the Ho." 

The fellow- made many trip- to tin- neighboring small towns at night. As 
he was returning one night Woolfe was halted at the edge of camp just tor a 
joke. I le did not halt and a shot was fired in the air to scare him. It worked ail 
right for he nearly fell off his horse and yelled, "I 'lease don't shoot, Mister. I m 
a soldier of the camp.'' 

Boh Myers had a little horse thai he thought was just about as line an animal 
i- there was in the countrv. But the horse did not like him. or so it seemed, tor 



THE LIAISON \j 

every time that the horses were ridden down to water Rob was seen to ride out 
of camp on his favorite, and every time the horses came hack from the river he 
came hack afoot. When asked about the horse he would say. "He policed me 
again. That is the last time 1 am going to ride that horse." But the next day 
it would happen just the same. 

The day that the work was completed all hut three of the horses had been 
turned out to graze. After the camp had been cleaned up and the pack-, made 
the men went out to get the horses. But they went after them the wrong way 
with the result that they started off up the river at the -alio,.. There was a wild 
chase after them and a whole hour was wasted before they were all captured. 
Everybody enjoyed it though for they had been wanting to try out their horses 
and that was a good chance. 

The trip hack was made by way of Montgomery, the party arriving at 
■•amp at about 4:30 in the afternoon. It was a wonderful trip and everybody 
enjoyed it immensely. The field work was assembled the next week and a 
'racing and blueprints were made. The finished map passed the strictest "ceii 
sorship" and was used on several problems. 

The Pistol Range. 
1 he pistol range was located about a mile hack of camp on the south hank of 
the Alabama river. It was built by details from every organization that had any 
pistol practicing to do. The -Range" was a mound about six hundred feet long 
and twenty feet high, with a trench ten feet deep along one side for the operator* 
..i the moving targets. The range was large enough for a hundred men to fire 
• it die same time and the ranges were twenty-five and fifteen yards. Every 
man was allowed to lire forty shots for practice and then forty more for a mark 
to go on his service record. 

During our training there were many nice trips out into the country. These 
gave us good exercise as well as a chance to improve our horsemanship. We had 
At. of interesting problems on open warfare. Part of them were for the Artillery 
only hut on some of them we worked with the Infantry on regular maneuvers 
rhis was very interesting for it was closer to the real' thing than anything we 
bad had. and we were anxious to get into the real thing at thai tune. 

Id ik Artu i ery Range. 

The Camp Sheridan Artillery Range was located six miles northeast of the 
'•amp on the Wetumpka Road. The range was laid out in the shape of a wedge 
being about half a mile wide at the gun positions and a mile wide at the targets 
ttie ground was nearly level for the first two miles, while from there on to*the 
end ot the range it was broken by transverse swales. 

The Infantry had dug several lines of trenches across the range to represent 
firsl and second friendly lines and first enemy lines, in fact everything was made 
as near like actual war conditions as possible. The engineers had charge of this 
! '" ( ' n .^ WOrk and ;il1 Of the other work on the range with the exception of the 
Artillery observation dugout. 



18 THE LIAISON 

The first targets were at a range of 2,000 yards and the last ones, cm- the 
maximum range, was 6,000 yards. Most all of the firing was done at short 
ranges — between 2,000 and 3,000 yards. 

1 >ne of the big things in our military lives at this camp was the dugout and 
connecting trenches that we made. For two months a detail of twenty men 
tramped six miles to the range each morning. They worked for about five hours 
under the direction of Captain Norton and "Saw-mill" Jones, cutting poles and 
logs and digging in the trenches, then tramped hack to cam]). The results, aside 
from a lot of sore hands and backs, was a nice observation dugout and connect- 
ing trendies. An inspector from the Fort Sill School of lure complimented us 
on our good work and seemed to think that it was as hue as could he made — 
but he had never been "across." We thought that it was hue. too. but we were 
in the same class with him. Our e_\es were opened when we saw the French 
and later the German dugouts with electric lights and pianos in them. Then 
we realized that truly the only results of our labors were the aches and pains. 

Smoke Bombs. 

A smoke pot range was made at the end of the road that paralleled our com- 
pany street. Targets were made of burlap sacks strung on wires and raised on 
poles so as to be seen from the School, a distance of seven hundred yards. The 
smoke pots on ten foot poles were filled with powder and touched off in different 
positions, the smoke balls giving the effect of shell bursts around the targets. 

-V. 59." 

Our 'A'"' building ( Xo. 59), was a very popular place. There were always 
plenty of good books, magazines and papers there a- well as writing material 
and tables. The building was always occupied by a large number of fellows 
reading and writing, or playing the piano and victrola. Two nights every week 
they had movies there and most all of them were good ones. too. Religious 
services were held every Sunday and all of us liked to hear Doctor Mc< lurk 
talk. He gave many hue talks there. ( )n several occasions girls from 
Montgomery and a girls' college gave musical programs which were enjoyed 
very much. Mr. Xollen. the secretary, was our especial friend. 

Firing Pra< tick. 

The first day that there was any tiring done on the range, the entire Brigade 
marched out headed by the Bands of the three regiments. The best guns and 
gun crews were picked from the material and personnel of the 134th Regiment. 
The bring data was figured by Captain Hedges of the Headquarters Company. 
This tiring was merely to test out the range. However, some oi us made it a 
great day in our lives, the first day that we had seen held pieces tired. 

< >n an occasion not long after this there was a bad accident during a rain 
Storm. The I latteries had just unlimbered their pieces at the range and the 
driver> were going back with the limber:- when there was a loud crash. A bolt 
of lightning had struck the wet horses. ( hie man was killed and several were 



THE LIAISON 



19 



injured. .Many horses were tin-own to the ground and five of them were killed 
The men were seared, but they took it all as in the day's work, and as their real 
initiation into the serious business of war in which they had engaged. 

A great many simple artillery problems were fired on the range These 
were our first experiences with firing batteries, for up to this tune the batteries 
had only -one into position and assumed that they were firing. The first few 
times every nerve around the Regimental and Battalion Headquarters' Stations 
was tense when the word "On the Way" came down over the phones Kvery 
one waned breathlessly for the crack of the gun and the scream of the shell as 
it flew towards the targets. Excitement! We thought that it was fine. 

We got our company organization so that it worked fine and then came the 
night problems with gas drill at the same time. After we had had a few of these 
night affairs we decided that war was not so much fun after all and be-an to 
wonder just what it would be like when we got "over there," and had tcTgo at 
it every day and night without any rests between "problems." 

Rumors. 

The weeks passed by. "playing war" grew stale— and as a consequence the 
army Rumor was born. They were fine, these army rumors. If anyone took a 
notion that he would like to go to Russia or some such place, he merely told 
some ot his friends that he had heard that the Reg., Brig., or Div was to <r 
there the next week. In half an hour that story spread all over the Regiment 
Always we were disappointed but they helped to keep up spirits and gave some 
fellows a chance to exercise their imaginations. Near Thanksgiving time those 
internal rumors started. "We were to be fully equipped and sail for oversea., by 
Christmas. So we sat down and wrote to on,- homes telling the folks the glad 
news. Hut the time came and with it no equipment or moving orders. That 
was our first experience with rumors, but we had plenty of them afterwards 
even to the day of final discharge. About three times a week we went to 
France. Italy or Russia. Even while writing this story in France there are 
rumors current to the effect that our mechanics are getting in wood to make sled 
runners for our wagons and field pieces, to be used by us in Siberia. 

Montgomery. 

Evenings and Saturdays found a good representation from the Headquar- 
ters Company in the city of Montgomery. The three-mile trip was made by 
way ot the electric line for a jit, or by taxi, for whatever the driver had the nerve 
to ask. Many complaint- finally fixed the taxi price at two bits. For amuse- 
ments there were several moving picture theatres and a couple of vaudeville 
lKn ; S " S - In 0ne of these the Keith circuit plays were put on. The restaurants 
and hotels m the city were good, if a little high priced. 

Passes were issued at most any time and we enjoyed the city very much 
I he people opened up their houses to the men from camp and never was there 
a bunch treated more royally. Dancing parties and socials were held almosl 
every night. 



20 



THE LIAISON 



Our history at Camp Sheridan would be incomplete without mention of 
( >lin [ohnson, our newsboy, who lived near the camp. Every day he was on the 
job, no matter what the weather. He grew to be especially fond <>t the boys in 
Headquarters Company, and on our part the youngster became a regular young 
brother to the whole outfit, and he came and went as he pleased. I lis home 
training had been that of a gentleman, and it was good for us in those days 
when we were separated from home and its restraints, to have the boy with us. 

Taking all things into consideration (amp Sheridan was the best camp 
that our company ever saw. I he quarters were good, rations and other sup- 
plies were plentiful, transportation facilities were good, and it had the reputa- 
tion of being the healthiest camp in the States. < )| course, all ol this \\a> not 
tin light of at the time and there was the usual amount of growling that is to he 
heard in a camp. Hut since we have seen so many other "so-called" camps we 
have come to the conclusion that when we left there .it 4:15 p. m. on June 14. 
1918, enroute for "some place" we lett our best camp. 

The best "rumor - " was the truth. We returned in the earl} dawn from the 
last problem at the range, through the deserted Infantry camp, and it was 
"rumored" that we would leave within a week'. 

Sheridan to Upton. 

At full war strength, owing to recent additions from a draft camp about the 
12th day of |une. 1918, we received orders to start on our long journey. We 
felt sure where we would finally land, hut as we had enlisted of our own free 
will, tile order to start was received with enthusiasm. We had come to Sheridan 
as a hunch of recruits, hut having spent nine months at hard military training in 
those hot, summer days of Alabama, we believed ourselves lit tor whatever 
should come in France and on the Western trout. We had, a month before, 
started our heavy freight on its way over seas. This order necessitated the 
packing of the few remaining articles quickly. Personal articles were packed in 
our barrack bags. There was a lot to he done, hut it did not take long to get 
into shape. We tore down tin- large pyramidal tents that made our Company 
street. They had been our homes during our stay at Sheridan. The frame 
structure which held the tents were lelt standing, hut we had to clean all oi 
them and oil the floors. We policed camp thoroughly. i'his took two days. 
The afternoon of the 13th we had pitched our shelter tents in the field hack ol 
the Regimental Infirmary. ( >ur last nighl at Sheridan was spent in these pup 
tents. 

The Regiment had keen divided into three sections lor the trip. Our sec- 
tion included the Supply Company, Cattery A. and our own Headquarters Com- 
pany. Karlv on the morning of the Nth we took down our tents, made our 
packs and waited for "march order.'' The morning passed with final details, 
a last look in at "Y 5''". etc. We ate our dinner at noon and shortly alter loaded 
our barracks bags and other baggage on trucks that carried them to our tram. 

At 1 :30 ]). m. we formed into line and marched to the train, the Regimental 
Hand playing at the head of the column. The train was on a nearby switch. 
Tt was made up of dav coaches with the exception o! the baggage car and the 



THE LIAISON 



21 



officers' Pullman. The baggage car was for the kitchen, the cooks had already 
occupied it and were preparing the first meal. The day was very hot, but there 
was quite a large crowd of people there to sec us off. 

We did not hesitate long in filling up the train, but lined up in single hie at 
each door and climbed in. Each double seat was occupied by three men through 
out the train, and having found seats we packed our packs away into the racks 
above and settled down for the trip. 

About 4:00 o'clock the train started to move out, amid the yelling and wav- 
ing of the fellows and the crowd outside. Guards had been posted at each door to 
keep the men in their own coaches. ( )nly officers and men with passes could 
go from one car to another. Shortly after we started we ate our hrst meal 
enroute. Eight or ten men were detailed to carry the food through the tram 
and dish it out to the men. This was some job as even' time that the train would 
lurch it was hard to keep the food in the containers. ( )ur mess kits were washed 
in barrels of water which were at the end of each car. We did not know where 
we would hud ourselves at the vm\ of this train trip, but we did know that it 
would he at some seaport on the Atlantic coast. Some of us had maps and these 
were consulted at every stop so as to keep track of our whereabouts. 

At nine o'clock each night we took the seats down and formed one Ion- 
hunk on each side of the car, unrolled our blankets and crawled in for the night 
This made a fairly good bed and we slept well. The hrst thing in the morning we 
would get out our maps and find out where we had travelled during the night. 
Paul Nolan, a \ . M. Q A. Secretary, who had been in the Y hut next to our 
camp at Sheridan, travelled all the way to the port with us. Throughout the trip 
he sold candy, soft drinks, and tobacco, passed out hooks and made himself gen- 
erally agreeable. \fter our arrival at (Samp Upton he left us and went to \\ ash- 
ington to enlist. Mis name will he remembered by all of us for a long time for 
lie "sure was one fine man." 

After travelling all of the first night we arrived at Monroe. S. C, where 
we detrained and headed by the Band, marched up into the town. We stopped 
in front of the Court Mouse and did a few stunts in the calesthenic line for the 
benefit of the populace, and to get limbered up a hit. We then marched back 
to the station and before boarding the train each one of us received a cup of 
iced tea from the Red Cross. During the stay at Sheridan we had thought thai 
our Colonel was a continued woman hater, hut at this and oilier stops our eye- 
were opened to the naked truth. Me was seen laughing and joking with one 
or more of the Red Cross -iris at nearly every town that we hit. 

Passing through Raleigh and Richmond, we arrived in Washington about 
noon and had just a glimpse of the government buildings as we went through. 
We stopped in the railroad yards at the edge of the city and got out for a little 
exercise. There was a Red Cross canteen beside the tracks and they served us 
hot coffee and sandwiches. Then we hoarded our train and were off again. 

Our next stopping place was Philadelphia. Coin-- through the city on an 
elevated track we stopped at a station in North Philadelphia. It was late on 
Sunday afternoon when we arrived there, and we received a hearty welcome. 



22 T H E L I A I S O N 

Everybody waved to us and the whistles all over the town were blowing. George 
Bennet's folks live in Philadelphia, and they had been waiting all day tor the 
train to come in. Me got to see them and visit with them for a while before 
we pulled out. 

All that we saw of New York City was the Pennsylvania station as we 
passed through, for it was nearly midnight and very dark. After we had gone 
through the tunnel under the river we went to sleep and were awakened at 4:00 
o'clock in the morning to find that we were at Camp l*]>ton, \. \. VVe started 
to unload at once and by daybreak we were marching n]> the hill into camp. 

This was tin- first barracks camp that we had ever been in. The barracks 
were large, well built and had spring beds. There were two large furnaces on 
each floor, but the rooms were so large that they did very little good and it was 
cold every night. The floors were scrubbed, everything cleaned up. beds put in 
order and we were settled for our stay in that camp. 

There were about ten Y. M. C. A.'s. two Y. W. C. A.'s, a K. of C, and a 
Jewish welfare building in the camp. Two theatres and a movie house com- 
pleted the amusement centers of the place. As we had quite a lot of time to 
ourselves we went to these places quite often, as well as to a great canteen in 
the center of the cam]). The second day an order was issued permitting any- 
one who had relatives in or near Xew York, to go on a visit. At once the fel- 
lows started to think up some long forgotten or never heard of relative in the 
city. In most cases it worked very well and a number of twenty-four hour 
passes were issued. 

( )ne clay we saw a colored Infantry company drilling on the road just out- 
side our barracks. They stopped right in front and the Hrst sergeant said, 
"Xiggers, I'se gwine to shout down that column and Ah wants yon all to line 
up on the smoke from the bullet." They sure did. That was about the best 
drilled company that we ewer saw. During our stay in this cam]) one of our 
men. Todd L. Foust, was taken sick with ptomaine poisoning, lie was taken 
to the hospital and never got hack' to the outfit. 

There' was foot drill and calisthenics every day in this camp. It was sup- 
posed to he a test camp, but the Colonel said that we had to keep in shape. He 
always was strong for keeping us in shape, and beneath the growsing the fel- 
low- are glad that we had to work for we did have to keep ht and then time 
passed more quickly. 

At Camp Cpton we staved till the 27th of June, drawing clothing and 
equipment that we needed. During our stay we had many visitors; parents, 
brothers and sisters and sweethearts of the hoys. They all took advantage oi 
this, the last chance to see the fellows before they sailed. lor that reason the 
Stay at that camp was enjoyed very much. 

Early on the morning of the 27th. we started for Long Island City, and 
arriving there took tin- ferry down the river to Bush Terminal. Brooklyn, X. \ . 
We embarked on the Australian "Blue Funnel" II. M. S. Nester, and the next 
morning at about 10:30 we hade farewell to the Statue of Liberty, June 28, 1918. 



THE LIAISON 23 



CROSSING THE ATLANTIC 

It was on East River that we were sailing. We did not go across, but went 
down stream in the center of the river for about a mile. The boat was crowded. 
The weather was very hazy and our view of Xew York was rather blurred. 
We could see the Woolworth building looming high up against the sky. The 
river was a busy place that morning. There were many tugs steaming 
around, pulling anything from a log of wood to a train on a barge, behind them. 
There were many passenger ferries crossing the river. We steamed on under 
the Williamsburg and Brooklyn bridges, passing many of the largest boat docks 
in the world. ( hi this trip we had a very good view of the harbor. The river 
was not very wide where we boarded the boat, but it became rapidly wider as 
we went along. We came into a large bay where we saw lots of camouflaged 
vessels lying at anchor, and two small tugs pulling a large ocean liner in to its 
dock. There were sailing and fishing vessels anchored here. too. We could 
just see the Statue of Liberty in the distance. It was the first view of it for 
many of us and there was lots of cheering. During the trip down the river there 
were two Police boats alongside the ferry. We finally reached the Brooklyn 
Navy Yards and two tugs pulled us into the dock. 

\\ e piled off and marched single file into a large warehouse. It was empty, 
but our regiment very nearly filled it to its capacity. There was a transport on 
each side of this building, and we were to load on to the one to our right. There 
were two large gang planks leading from the warehouse to the deck of the ship. 
Instructions were given as to the censorship of the mail, cards were handed 
out for us to send home to let the folks know that we had arrived safely over- 
seas i these were mailed in Xew York to save two weeks' time), and we lined 
up according to the passenger list. After being inspected by the Captain and 
checked by a Navy inspector we marched up the gang plank. ( hie of the ship's 
officers directed us to the proper decks. The enlisted men were put in the 
various holds, the cabins being reserved for the officers. These holds had been 
arranged for the transport service. Mess tables, each seating about fifteen men. 
took up almost the entire floor space. Directly above the tables were our ham- 
mocks. They were hung from the rafters in saw-tooth fashion, being so close 
as to put sardines to shame. There were racks above hammocks where we were 
"allowed" to put up our packs- After we had stowed the packs we hied our- 
selves up to look the old ship over. 

The ship was called the Nester and we afterwards named it "The Good 
Ship Xes-tah." The stevedores had nearly all the cargo, including our own bar- 
racks bags and baggage, loaded, and we expected to leave in a short time. Look- 
ing around we saw many interesting things, some of them were strange to us, 
but when we found a three-inch gun mounted on the after deck we felt a lot 
better about any subs that we might meet, for we sure knew what that little 
gun could do. 

As we had boarded the ship about noon the first meal was supper and we 
were introduced to a new mess system. Two men from each table were senl 



24 



THE LIAISON 



to the galley with pans to get the mess for their table. Hiey had to carry it from 
there, hack to tin tallies and serve the rest of the men. This worked pretty well 
while the ship was standing at the dock, but, well, what happened is told else- 
where in this honk. The fond would have been good had it been thoroughly 

cooked and seasoned a little, hut as it was it was scarcely tit to eat. 

No smoking was allowed between or below decks and no lights were to he 
shown after sundown, and to cap it all we had to go to bed at 7:30 each night, for 
they put the lights out at that time and it was next to impossible to get into one of 
those hammocks in the dark. 

We slept pretty well that night considering that it was our first attempt at it 
m hammocks. Getting out early the next morning we went up to the main deck 
and stood in line for about half an hour waiting for a chance to wash up a litttle. 
\fier breakfast we were given a life preserver and told to put it on and keep it 
on all the time that we were on deck. It developed later that we were not allowed 
to go below decks during the day except for our meals, so we had those pre- 
servers on about fourteen hours a da) for twelve days. And we slept on them 
at night. In fact they were our best friends on the trip over for some ol our 
human friends were too sick to he friendly towards anything. 

Well, about 10:00 o'clock that morning every one started to yelling, "She s 
movin," and she sure was. A couple of tugs pulled us out into the middle ot the 
river and then, with all hands on deck', we started on our way across. In about 
half an hour several of the fellows began to get seasick and from that time on 
every hour saw a few more in the same fix, most all ot us had a queer feeling in 
our sawdust and knew that we would get it in a few days. 

During the early morning of the third day we were joined h_\ seven more 
transports and the l'. S. Cruiser Huntington. That made a total ol thirteen 
ships in our convoy, five others having left Mew York with us. The ships were 
lined up in columns of three and kept this formation nearly all the way across, 
the only changes made were when they did a left or right ilank movement. I hey 
signalled to each other by semaphore and projectors, and the sailors on those 
-hiiis could send and receive that stuff faster than any one we had ever seen, and 
we had seen some very fast one-, too. Their arms just seemed to fly through 
the air. 

The Shin's Doctor told us something of the construction and history ot the 
Xestor, and added that we need not fear the suhs. It was built in five large air- 
tight compartments, separated by steel bulkhead*; more than one ot these com- 
partments had to he pierced before the ship would sink, he said. * Ml nearly every 
trip that had been made by the Xestor suhs had been sighted and in all instances 
they had either been sunk or driven away by the -hip's gunners. About the only 
way for us to he sunk- was to get a torpedo directly on the engine room. Hear- 
ing this we felt pretty sa I e. 

In spite of all of this safety we had boat drill it least two times a daw All 
of the men were assigned to certain places by the lite boats and raits. ["hese 
were their places in case of emergency and we had to drill on getting there in a 
hurry. After we had drilled for several days we got so we could he in our 



THE LIAISON 25 

places five minutes after the signal was given. That was good considering that 
we were scattered all over the ship and did not know just when we would be 
called upon. A roll call was made each time to be sure that all men were present. 

The two Y. M. C. A. men on board took care of us in the usual manner with 
reading and writing material and such games as could be carried on board. A 
canteen was opened but the demands on it were so great that it had to close up 
in a few days — sold out. The ship's wireless station took all the war news that 
was sent across and put out a bulletin each day. News from home, including 
baseball scores, was also published. 

In mid-ocean our course was changed from a straight line to a zig-zag course 
to give the subs less chance at us. \\ e would go along in one course for a while 
and then suddenly change the course by about twenty or thirty degrees. This 
was kept tip continually and we must have travelled some hundreds of miles out 
of our way. We grew very impatient at having to stay on the ship so long, hav- 
ing expected to make the trip in about seven days, at most, but perhaps those in 
charge knew best how to run tilings. 

The Regimental Band played a concert every afternoon and that was fol- 
lowed by boxing contests between men from the different organizations on board. 
Calisthenics were in order for about an hour every morning. They were held 
on the hurricane deck. It was amusing to see some of the fellows going through 
some stunt when the ship would make a dive. Balancing was difficult. 

Along about noon of the tenth day several black objects were seen on the 
horizon ahead of us. The Ship's officers had been watching them for about an 
hour, hut we had keen unable to see them. An hour later they had come close 
enough for us to make them out. and we discovered that they were the British 
destroyers sent out to meet us and act as our convoy into port. Shortly after 
they came up, the Huntington, our cruiser, turned around and went hack to the 
States. With about ten destroyers -teaming around us continually we decided 
that we had arrived in the danger zone. 

As we were going through the North Channel three of the destroyers turned 
to the right and sped away as fast as they could travel. A mile and a half awaj 
they stopped and started tiring on something that we could not see. They must 
have fired about fifty shots before they came hack. At the time we did not know 
whether they were tiring on a submarine or a mine. Later it was said that the} 
had sunk a sub. 

When we had passed the Isle of Man and entered the Irish Sea. three of our 
transports left us and put in at a Scotch port. The men on them traveled down 
through England and joined us later. We kept on straight ahead and about 3:0 ' 
o'clock the next morning we arrived in Liverpool, England. When the tide 
came in we were pulled into a large dock and unloaded. 



THE LIAISON 



l i \ T SORSI-] II'. 

We're sailing away to < iod knows where. 
To a promised land that's "over there"; 
The plains of France or Italy's Alps 
May furnish our quota of German scalps. 
Unknown to us is the end of our trip, 
We sail on the good hark "Censorship. 

How do we hunk, and what of our chow? 

And how is the army anyhow? 

Any low spirits among the bunch? 

Say, how many fellows have "lost their lunch": 

Ask not: some spy might get a tip — 

It's all deleted by censorship. 

Perchance we've sighted a submarine. 
Perchance again none has been seen, 
A hydroplane or German harks, 
( )r maybe only a school of sharks. 
The shears of the censor merrily clip; 
You don't get much through the censorship. 

Do we have "In cadence, exercise": 

Do rumors, a- usual, prove to he lies? 

Drills and inspections from morn till "taps" : 

Any one caught in a game of craps? 

To von the answer I'd gladly slip 

But we sail on the tight boat "Censorship." 

You ask. have we Red Cross nurses or no? 
Do "Tea hounds" flirt with mermaids also? 
And to quicken our spirits in case they lag, 
"Say, I'ard. what're chances to borrow a fag?' 
All of this dope I have on my lip. 
And it*s stopped right there by censorship. 

But we'll see the end of this war. we hope, 
With its fear of the treacherous periscope, 
When safe will he the bounding main. 

\- we come sailing home again, 
With wonderful tales crammed in our grip,— 

\nd we won't sail hack on the "Censorship." 

—I). V 



THE LIAISON 



OVERSEAS-LIVERPOOL AND FOREIGN SOIL 

At last our hopes were beginning to come true: we were "Over There." It 
was during the night of the ninth of July, that the good ship Nestor, with the rest 
of the convoy, dropped anchor in the harbor of Liverpool to wait for the tide. 
As earlv as three o'clock on the morning of the tenth, we were awakened by some 
of the boys running up stairs to see the harbor. Breakfast was over at seven 
and then we cleaned up the sleeping decks, made our packs and put away the 
hammocks. 

At noon ( 12:30 p. m. ) a tug pulled our ship into one of the locks and along 
side a pier where we unloaded. We got out through an enclosed dock onto a 
street between the warehouses, and at 3:15 p. m. started a march through the city. 
L'p Parliament Street, with its hospitals, we marched, on through the Botanical 
Gardens, and out beyond the city to a tented cam]) by a small railway station. 
Some new sights struck us on this hike — the little ventilators on the houses, the 
number of children (all the kids wanted hard tack and devoured it like wolves), 
with their queer little wooden-soled shoes, the crippled soldiers on the streets, the 
girl street car conductors, tending the double-decked cars, Scotch soldiers in kil- 
ties, work horses hitched tandem, the fancy police uniforms, the little two-wheeled 
carts and big horses, two-story jitney busses, the six-ton steam auto trucks and 
traffic keeping to the left instead of the right — first impressions of England. 

We were very glad to reach camp. The place we stopped was the American 
Rest Lamp Knotty Ash. Liverpool, England, a cam]) established for the handling 
of United States troops en route. Xo outfit stayed there for more than twenty- 
four or forty-eight hour-. They gave us a cup of hot coffee, real stuff, and it did 
taste good. We gathered in groups on the grass and ate part of the rations 
that had been issued on the ship — canned beef, sardines, hard tack and coffee. 
with some cakes and candy bought at the American Y. M. C. A. tent in camp. 
Some of the fellows got outside of the guards and spent the evening seeing the 
town, but the majority turned in early. We slept on little straw pallets that at 
first we hesitated to use, eighteen to a tent, and slept well. 

We rose about 6:00 a.m.. had breakfast of bacon, rice, bread and butter and 
coffee. Some got sandwiches for a lunch. At 7:15 we marched to the station 
a few doors from the edge of camp and started at 7:40 a. m. Eight men were in 
each compartment of the English passenger coaches. An English soldier gave 
us letters — "A Message to the U. S. Soldiers from King George*' — which we 
were allowed to mail home. 

One thing had a very sobering effect on us at this first camp, the rlichfield 
Military Hospital, just across the road beyond the station, a beautiful place, and 
any number of the most pitiful sights, convalescent English soldiers. 

Merry England and the Sorrowful, Channel. 

Through the heart of England was a splendid trip — beautiful country scen- 
ery, a continual panorama of hedge rows, gardens, flowers, pretty red tiled houses 
and clean cities- We passed through Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester where 



28 



THE LIAISON 



we had hot coffee served by English ladies and stretched our legs by walking 
the station platform — Banbury, Pangbourne, Basingstoke, and reached Winchestei 
at 4:00 p. m. 

We detrained at once and marched behind the band through the hilly, narrow 
streets of the quaint little town, up an immense hill to a tin city, another American 
!\est Camp, with barracks made ot sheet tin. Mere we had supper oi coffee, war 
bread, and jam. Alter eating we washed, shaved, and walked about a little to 
view the country and then turned in, on funny little wooden beds, that you put 
together yourself, and straw ticks. This cam]) was named Morn Mill Camp, 
Winchester, England. 

It was after 11 :00 p. m., before we got to sleep. At 7:00 a. in., we were 
up. and soon had a good breakfast oi coffee, bread and bacon. \\ e stood around. 
after making our packs until 11:00 a. m., when we fell in. At 11:45 we re- 
traced our march of the night before, to the depot. At 12:45 we pulled out of 
Winchester in the same kind of third class cars, ate a lunch right away, of 
sandwiches, jam and water, which we just finished in time to get off at 
Southampton dock-. We marched onto a dock' and were set at liberty to walk' 
about the dock and water line. 

At 5:00 p.m., we fell in, marched around to another dock, and loaded onto a 
small ship with, side wheels. We were herded in like cattle, put on life preservers, 
and spent the night as best we could, winch best could not be bragged about. 

France. 

After a night of it we unloaded at the docks of Le Havre, France — / :00 a. 
in. Saturday, July 13, 1918. We marched through this tine- old city and tried to 
take in all of France at one glance. It was a two-and-a-half-hour hike through 
the city, and up the hill back of the city, to our cam]), the poorest we had -truck 
yet. (»n one of the halts we saw a hit of native France, when Colonel Bush 
'parley-voued' with a very polite French gentleman and accepted a bouquet of 
flowers, after which the hand played the Marseillaise and the Star Spangled Ban- 
ner. < hi the first French hike we we're introduced to the sight of the energetic 
and thrifty women venders, saw the men all wearing canes and shaking hands 
with the left hand. 

At camp we were assigned twelve and thirteen men to a little round tent. 
Ilic weather was warm. At 2:00 p. m.. we had a hot lunch, followed at 5:00 
p. m. by supper. We took a funm -team bath, shaved, washed clothes, aired 
blankets — cleaned up in general, and after supper wrote a letter home. Flere at 
the English Y. M. C. A. we got our American money changed to French, which 
we found was not hard to get on to and which we Found always easy to spend. 
During the night it rained and kept it up till 9:00 a. m. The day was Sunday 
and we re-ted. Part of the day was rainy, also Sunday night. 

Monday afternoon at .•> :."><) we left this camp, which was called ( amp NO. 1. 
Section B, and marched for one hour and forty-five minutes to the railroad 
station. Mere we loaded onto a train. And it was some train. We had heard 
much of the "40 men — S horses'" cars and now we were to experience them 
Forty men in each of the tinv box cars it was, and we were otl lor a trip across 
France. 



THE LIAISON 29 

Le Havre to Bordeaux via 40 Hommes — 8 Ci-ievaux Box Cars. 

In a world history, where even great events receive scant attention, the 
French box car may not be mentioned. But in any soldier record of the great 
Avar for liberty "40 Homines — 8 Chevaux" will be painted all over the scenery 
—and it takes no great strength <>! imagination to see a can oi corned-willie 
covering the rest of the picture. 

It was dark when we pulled out of the station at Le I lavre. \\ e crossed the 
Seine river several times, went through Rouen and headed south. In the morn- 
ing a stop was made at 6:30 at L'Aiglon for coffee and an hour's rest. At noon 
we stopped at Le Mans for coffee. The coffee was very poor stuff, made of 
chicory. The country of France was a great disappointment after seeing 
England, hut the neglected fields and towns we knew were due to the four years 
that the men had keen in the war. In southern France, however, along toward 
Bordeaux, we saw miles and miles of well kept vineyards. Another night and 
morning, and then Bordeaux. At noon we rode through the city and at 1:15 
p. m., landed at the big covered station. Coffee and a little rest, and then on 
through the city our train went, across the Garonne river to the little town of 
Pessac about half an hour's ride. 

Here we detrained and walked seven miles, full pack, to our places of billet. 
The regiment was scattered through the countryside, in the little villages and 
chateaux. The regimental officers and part of the headquarters detail were 
quartered in the Chateau Choisy la Tour. The rest of the detail was billeted in 
houses and barns at Rejouit, a little cross-road hamlet close by the chateau. The 
First Battalion detachment was billeted in the village of Cestas ; the Second 
Battalion detachment at Canajan. The company kitchen was with the Regimental 
detachment at Headquarters, while the Battalion detachments ate with the bat- 
teries. The night of their arrival at Canejan, the Second Battalion detachment, 
fell into a special feed on Captain I ledges. 

'I he weeks spent in the country was a period of waiting, compared to the so- 
called Rest Camps we had keen in on the way from Liverpool, this camp was a 
real rest. For a few days we rested and cleaned up. The company was soon 
initiated into French country life and to the "Yin Sisters." Bordeaux was the 
great attraction and passes were readily issued for a day in town. 

Bordeaux is an ancient city and seaport. The Cathedral. Theater. Market 
I 'lace, and the open park in the center of the business district, together with the 
I afes with their sidewalk tables and big awning-, and beaucoup women of the 
underworld gave the- town its individuality. The American Y. M . C. A., with its 
restaurant, canteen, rest room, hot baths, and real American speaking women 
as a rest spot and rendevous for all Americans, strangers in a strange land. 
Mere, before finally jumping into the hare existence of war. vve enjoyed the 
American privileges of ice cream and orangeade. The city was crowded with 
American and French soldiers and sailors on leave. 

While in the country we saw, for the first time, the .Yew York Herald and 
the London Daily .Mail, edited in Paris for the American soldiers in I- ranee, each 
a four page paper, and our only source of information at the time. 



w 



30 T H E L I A I S O N 

We spent the days in hiking about the country for exercise, doing work on 
the side for Calesthenic Points, and keeping company with the French sisters 
Blanc and Rouge. The rest period was all too short. ( >ther outfits finished 
their training at Camp de Souge and were moved out. We were being held in 
readiness to begin our course of training. So after eleven days at Rejouit, Cestas 
and Canejan orders came, on a Sunday evening, to hike it full pack. Monday,. 
July 29th, we turned otit at 4 :,-><> a. m., made our rolls, breakfasted, cleaned up 
the billets and grounds, and started the march at 7 :30 a. m. The regimental de- 
tachment inarched from Rejouit to Cestas where the Regiment was formed on 
the road leading toward Souge. The march lasted all day. Captain Hedges 
led the column, and by easy hitches we covered the twenty miles to Camp de 
Souge, a few miles from the town of Souge. 

\ fter living for the greater part of a year in the splendid American Camp 
Sheridan, at .Montgomery, this Camp de Souge looked rather hare. Situated on 
a broad, level stretch of deep, loose sand mixed with black earth, like soot, the 
long narrow barracks looked small. But inside they proved very comfortable 
with two-story hunks, electric lights. French war windows of opaque paper, and 
water on the front porch — sometimes. The scant daily supply of water was 
something new to get accustomed to. and it was at this time that real war con- 
ditions began to filter into our experience. But the American is quick to adapt 
himself to new circumstances, and we soon learned to take a bath in a tincup 
or hike a mile to a little creek, and to keep tin old canteen full at all times. 

It was Monday evening when we arrived at the cam]). The rest of the week 
was spent in getting set for the work to come. A couple ol days were spent 
burning the brush from the fields about cam]) in an effort to keep down the flies. 
Good conduct passes of white cardboard for the nearby towns of Bonneau, 
tssaac, Saint-Medard, Martignas and St. lean d'lllac were issued. These towns- 
were full of huckster wagons and stands run by the natives who were very 
friendly, chiefly because the Americans spent their paper francs freely. Prices 
were fairly reasonable, considering what we met with later. hour oranges or 
five lemons sold for a franc, and two small tumbler- ol" hazel nuts for the same 
amount. The walking peddlers with cheap held glasses did a land-office business 
for a while hut caught very few "fish" in our company, because we were more or 
less familiar with gia-ses. 

The day's drill included calisthenics, gas drill, hikes, and detail work — sig- 
nalling, the figuring of bring data, and so forth. This was the first week. [Tie 
regular course of training began August 5th. The officers went to their schools, 
t!vj telephone and radio men to theirs. The rest of the company continued the 
program of the first week. Some new equipment was issued — field glasses, signal 
flags, phones, projector- and radio outfits. 

During this training period Color-sergeant McOuaid ami Corporal I laharty 
were sent off to Paris to gas school. \ number of changes took place among the 
officers of the regiment. Some readjustments were also made in the ranks of the 
company. One of the recruit-. Xelson. who came to the company just before 
leaving Cam]) Sheridan, died in the cam]) hospital August 6th. Captain Hedges 
was relieved of the command of the Headquarters Company to take up Captain 



THE LIAISON 31 

Babbit's work as Regimental Adjutant, leaving Lieutenant Bauer in charge of 
the company. 

The radio detachment took- the daily communiques regarding conditions at the 
front. These communiques, together with the correct time, were transmitted 
daily from Eiffel Tower, the official French station. From this time on, at 
every place where the company stayed for any length of time, Lieutenant 
back and his detachment "set up" and kept the Regiment informed '"up to the 
second." 

The Y. M. C. A., in our part of camp was a fizzle for a while until Doctor 
McGafTen of Cleveland came. Then we had a regular V and enjoyed many good 
times together in old-time Sheridan style. Here we read the weekly paper of the 
American ( )verseas Armies, the Stars and Stripes, an eight-page newspaper 
which was the "official publication of the American Expeditionary Forces.'" au- 
thorized by the Commander-in-Chief, A. E. F., written, edited, and published 
every week by and for the soldiers of the A. E. F. Many subscribed for it to 
follow them through the mail or to he sent home. 

During the weeks of training which passed quickly, one bad accident hap- 
pened in the Regiment. During the firing of a problem at the range on the 
morning of August 27th. No. 2 gun of Battery "D" exploded, killing the gunner 
and Xo. 1 man. and injuring several others. Following is the Colonel's memo- 
randum on that occasion: 

HEADQUARTERS 
134T1I FIELD ARTILLERY, 
AMERICAN EXPEDITK )NARY FORCES, 
FE W'CE. 
Memorandum: To all organizations, 

1. The Regimental Commander announces with regret and sorrow the 
deaths of Corporal John D. Tucket and Private Clarence 11. Click. Battery "l>." 

2. These men met their death in the line of duty and through no fault or 
neglect on the part of any one. 

3. The Regimental Commander is pleased to be able to commend in the 
highest terms the excellent discipline of Battery "D" at the time, and after the 
accident. Me particularly wishes to commend First-class Private Bumpus and 
Private Reed for their coolness in promptly removing the fuses from tin- -hells 
already prepared for firing. 

P.y order of Colonel Push: 

J. F. P. VBB] I . 

Captain, 134th Field Artillery, 

Adjutant. 

Friday night. September 13th. the training of the Regiment ended with a 
Prigade liaison problem, followed on Saturday morning by a Brigade barrage. 
The following week was spent in getting ready to move to the front. Equip- 
ment was issued in the way of wagons, reel carts, harness and instrument-, but 
only enough horses were available for the wheeled material. Each man had 
been equipped with a good gas mask and a .45 calibre Colt Automatic. Bar- 
racks bags had to be turned in and many of the "'necessities" of life had to be 



32 



THE LIAISON 



discarded. What we were to have from then on we carried on our backs, and 
it would take sonic man to cart along six towels, five suits of underclothes, tour 
shirts, and three pair of breeches under those conditions. So with main- bonfires 
and useless regrets the blue bags were finally turned in. 

Moving day it rained. That was our Jinx. Hereafter, in this record, it will 
lie understood that all moves made by the outfit took place in the rain. Monday. 
September 23rd was a busy daw Keel carts and Eourgons were loaded and pulled 
from the stables to the road, packs were made — and big ones they were— the 
barracks were cleaned up and left in charge oi Color-sergeant Friel tor final ( >. I\. 
It was after the noon meal when the auto trucks from the 112th Ammunition 



Souge to the town of Bonnan to load. This was our first experience in loading 
heavy wagons onto the small French box cars — some job — hut a little figuring 
ami plenty of steam <n>t them aboard. It was a job getting the horses into their 
cars. They must have thought they were going into a dugout. Some of them 
had to he backed up the ramps. 

With the loading done, "boo-koo'' hay in the cars, men assigned — everything 
set. there was nothing to do hut go. But it was 11:30 p. m. before the train 
pulled out. Headquarters and Supply Company oi our Regiment and the 62nd 
Brigade Headquarters were aboard. 

I )e Si in ;e t< * Revigny. 

We were much more comfortable on this trip, fifteen men to a car, plenty oi 
bread and corned-willie, a hay mattress and nothing to do. 

We traveled the rest of the night and the morning of the 24th without know- 
ing where we were. At 2:15 p. m. we passed through La Coquille, north oi 
Perigneux. At 6:00 p. m. we stopped at Limoges, stretched and ate supper. 
Next dav at 'LOO a. m. we were at Cosne. I I ere the train stopped long enough 
for us to wash and get some coffee from the kitchen car. from Cosne we went 
on. Reaching Clamecy just at noon, where another stop was made. We passed 
through Auxerre at 2 :40 p. m. The next morning we woke up to find ourselves 
side-tracked alongside an unloading platform at Revigny. 

l.AI MONT. 

We knew that we were somewhere near the righting zone from the si^tis 
all around. Trains passed loaded with salvage, broken aeroplanes, disabled 
motor lorries, etc. Car loads of salvaged iron were on the tracks near us. 
Here we saw our first German "77's". French soldiers were there, looking dif- 
ferent from the ones further hack. These men had keen under conditions where 
a shave and a haircut, a hath and clean clothes were not to he had. Also they 
were silent men and moved as if nothing mattered, as if everything to them 
was a matter i >l course. 

Evidently something had to be found out for we waited quite a while before 
orders came to detrain and unload. The wagons were pulled oil the cars, hitched 
up. and moved out of the yards on to a road. The weather was good. After 
unloading, guards were left with the material, and the company marched full 
pack up the road to the railroad tracks where two roads led oil. Xot knowing 
which direction to take we waited until one of the officers came. W e had stopped 



THE LIAISON 33 

by a house that had been shelled a little and the few scars on it's stone walls 
seemed very noticable to us then, but only for a very short time. 

We marched through the gateways onto the tracks, through the opposite 
gates and on through Revignv. First there were a street or two of houses still 
standing complete, an open street, a bridge across a little river, a Franco-Ameri- 
can Co-operative restaurant in a grove of trees, a bend in the road; and then we 
saw the center of town in ruins, destroyed by shell fire — the village square, the 
"Mairie" or town hall, all the center of the town razed. Here and there parts 
of the walls were standing. At Liverpool, whether we realized it or not. our 
minds had been awakened to the realness of war when we saw the human 
wreckage at the hospital. Here in Revigny another phase of war'- realism 
changed still more the atmosphere in which we lived, and thought : a certain 
tenseness, an expectancy, an acceptance of whatever should come took pos- 
session of us. Xo doubt such an experience came to every American soldier. 
< )ur business in France was rapidly taking on tangible form. 

We passed through the ruins, around a corner where, in a building with an 
enclosed courtyard, the French troops had their headquarters, across another 
railroad and into the open country. 

We marched along one of the white highways that wind around all the 
hills of France, toward a distant hill. Half way to the hill we saw an immense 
searchlight, placed off the road and camouflaged. And then a whirr in the air 
and Bang! Bang! — white puffs breaking in the air near a plane. The anti-air- 
craft guns were trying to down a Bosche observer. ( >ur experience was rapidly 
broadening. The Nun flyer got away, however, and we continued our march. 
on up the hill, and to the village of Liamont. This place, or rather the end of it 
that we -aw. was in ruins. We turned off onto a side road and pitched shelter 
tents in an open cultivated held in the usual straight lines facing the "Company 
Street." 

Something hot to eat was the next thing. The old rolling kitchen was bigger 
than Bosche planes or ruins for a while. But before we could eat we had to 
move. Down came the tents and over the hill we went, where we pitched again 
011 a slope another main road and a creek, but this time no two tents were allowed 
together in any alignment on account of enemy air observation. 

After a hot meal we explored the village, the main part of which was not 
badly damaged. The two streets were soon explored, the wine shops located, 
and, being tired from a long journey and hike we were soon back in cam]) and 
.-'-lee]) on the ground. 

More than a week we stayed at l.aimont. After a couple of days in tents 
we moved into the houses and barns of the village people on account of wet 
weather. Headquarters Company was billeted together in a big barn that was a 
part of a French house. The barn was all open inside with a big skylight in the 
roof, the floors were up here and down there; up a ladder to a cubby-hole luted 
with bunks, down a few steps to another cubby-hole and more bunks, downstairs, 
through a low door, up a step and then more cubby-holes and bunks. A central 
passage sloped down to a back door opening into a garden. The company 
kitchen had been established by the road in the ruins at the end of tin village. 



34 THE LIAISON 

Additional equipment was issued here. Horses fame in. but one evening 
as the company sat at ease about the little store in our billet, eating grapes and 
nuts, a sergeant came through and picked out a detail "to take the horses up 
front."' By six o'clock the details from the Batteries were ready and alter con- 
siderable trouble getting the horses into the column the start was made toward 
Verdun. Everything went fine until a halt was made. Then it was impossible 
for every man to keep his string o\ tour or five horses from eating grass, and 
confusion resulted. Good English availed nothing for the jar-headed beasts 
were French. Finally after getting straightened away again the column advanced 
steadily. The boom of the guns became more and more distinct. The Argonne 
drive was just then in its first stages and the great preparatory barrage was being 
put over. The column rode all night, passing through \ aubecourt and Triau- 
court. In the morning a short halt was made at Anzeville for a cold breakfast 
of willie. I fere the detail broke into two parties. ( hie want to Aubreville. 
I'he other went through Jubecourt, Ville-s-G, and Blercourt to Dombasle. Men 
and horses were tired and the last part of the trip was made slowly. Arrived 
at the destinations the horses were tied temporarily and the details rested. By 
six ]». m. the same day the horses were finally turned over to the other Artillery 
outfit. The men loaded into truck's and returned to Laimont to the enjoyment 
of a much needed rest. 

Although this town of Laimont lay relatively close to the front the natives 
were still living there. We were yet to see the deserted communities. ( hi Sun- 
day the village people, all in black, went to church. Here the old white-haired 
priest talked earnestly and long. We could not understand him but we knew 
what he was talking of, from the frequent use oi "le guerre", "soldat Francais", 
"soldat American". The church had been shelled but the holes in the walls and 
roof had been bricked in or otherwise repaired. Once during the war the Ger- 
mans had occupied the town lor a short time. [Tie people told us that one of 
their act- was to enter the church and deliberately shoot up the interior. I he 
marks of their vandalism were all over the place. 

The two roads through the town were main roads and traveled constantly. 
Motorcycles whizzed around the corners, officers' cars came and went, big truck 
trains rumbled through, and an ambulance train was held there ready to speed 
out at a call. There were American. French, Chinese and women drivers. One 
daw just at mess time, two wagons came through, immense affairs painted up 
like a circus and drawn by horses of the heavy draft type commonly used in 
France. The outfit was a travelling store and quite a novelty to Americans, 
lint lace and petticoats were of little value to soldiers, and -ales were light. 
\.long the road- were frequent graves, for ''over here" a soldier's last resting 
place is more often than not the spot on which he falls. 

The weather at this time was generally fair. I here was some rain and the 
nights were damp. Main men took cold. Just before we moved <■ aptain 
Hedges was taken to the hospital at Revigny suffering from a severe cold. In 
the excitement this caused only passing attention. We did not know that we had 
seen him for the last time. Major Schlegel and Corporal Bull were also taken 
to a hospital from here. 



SECTION II 



At the Front 
and Afterwards 



PNEUMONIA VALLEY 

< )n the morning of < >ctober 7th we moved back to Revigny and took train. 
Another box-car ride starting at 1 1 :30 p. m. At daylight we found ourselves side- 
tracked at Frouard, a small place north of Nancy. A train of colored troops 
of the 92nd Division was unloading. When they were out of the way our train 
pulled alongside the platform and we unloaded. The wagons were hitched and 
pulled out to the camping place, but the company remained at the train until 
everything was oft. It began to rain hard and we were hungry. The colored 
soldiers gave us generously of bread and jam. One of them said. "All soldiers 
is alike when they is hungry." A canal ran along the platform on the opposite- 
side. These negroes had been unloading during the night. In making a com- 
pany maneuver to leave the platform several men fell into the canal full-pack. 
One of them drowned. His body was lying on the platform in the morning. 
A horse had been shot and his body lay on the platform also. 

Toward noon our unloading was finished. The company fell in and marched 
full-pack through Frouard to Pompey, on into the open country, finally turning 
off on a side road and halting between two steep wooded hills. Here on the 
hillsides we dug out shelves to pitch shelter tents. The ground was wet. the 
morning fogs held on until near midday and rain added its discomfort. It was 
a miserable place to stay and was well named "Pneumonia Valley." Several of 
the men were taken to the hospital during the short stay here — Lieutenant 
Thomas, Corporal Schellin and Private Hart. But from the searchlights, anti- 
aircraft guns and air-battles we saw and heard, the woods was a safer place 
than the town. This place was close to Nancy, and Nancy was subject to air- 
raids at any time. 

We were in the valley two days and two nights. Broke cam]) on the morn- 
ing of ( )ctober 10th and moved out again onto the main road from Nancy to 
Metz. The column crossed the Moselle River and turned north. By this time 
il was well along in the day. The trip was made slowly, giving us plenty of 
time to enjoy the scenic beauties of tins little river and its winding valley. We 
went through Millery and Autreville to Bezaumont. Darkness descended quickly 
and by the time we reached Bezaumont it was quite dark. We wore to take our 
first line position during the night. 



38 THE LIAISON 

At Bezaumont the company divided, the Regimental and 1st Battalion De- 
tachments taking the road to St. Genevieve, and the 2nd Battalion Detachment 
turning off onto the road to Landremont. During the following weeks of activity 
the company was separated practically all of the time. The stories of the differ- 
ent detachments of the company follow. 

R.EG1 M ENTAL 1 )| 'I \( II M ENT. 

I lie name, St. Genevieve, will always bring a Hood oi memories to the mem- 
i ers of the Regimental detachment. The French peasants live in the shadows 
of the high and well defined hills which encircle this quiet and quaint little village 
of France. It was about midnight when we reached the foot of the hill below 
the village. The horses were tired and our own spirits were not of the best. \\ e 
had taken the wrong road and had to double the hill. It was necessary to use ten 
horses on every carriage. < >n our way up we passed the ration cart with the old 
white mule stalled. We went on up and pulled the mule out later. 

We were whooping and yelling to make the horses pull when we were sud- 
denly interrupted by Lieutenant Kaichen who appeared on the scene with a pro- 
longed "Sh-h-h." In a very serious tone he said, "Don't make any noise. The 
» iermans are very near hut they don't know that we are here. \\ e're slipping 
up on them and we are going to support a whole Battalion of Infantry, lie very 
careful and don't show any lights.'' Well, we slipped up on them all right audi 
were asleep on the floor of an old barn by -I :00 o'clock in the morning. 

At 7:00 a. m. we were awakened for breakfast. No mess line was allowed 
on account of the danger of drawing shell fire from the enemy. Captain Babbit 
-aid. "1 don't want to lose all of you at once." So we went up to the kitchen in 
two's and three's and got along without any trouble. All of us got our share oi 
eorned-willie, hard tack and black col lee. 

We were ready for our first work "at the front." The telephone detail at 
once, took over the telephone net and central, from the French. This is much 
easier said than done. The central was located on top of a. hill hack oi the vil- 
lage; wires were running every way and there was no interpreter there. But 
with various si^ns. waving of the arms and the slaughter of French and English, 
we finally succeeded in getting the desired information from the French operators 
in the little dugout, and put our system to work. 

The Liaison party of scouts was sent forward to the Intantrv trenches on 
the morning of our arrival. They remained there during our stay in that sector. 
Their chief work was observation and the gathering of all information possible. 
They made two trips daily to the observation stations al Morville, Port sur Seille 
and Bois l'Abbe. They reported main- thrilling and amusing experiences while 
on duty. At one time, a German patrol, dressed in French uniforms, slipped 
through our lines. All of them escaped excepting the officer in charge, lie was 
too proud to put tin- French uniform on and was shot by one oi the sentinels. 

An amusing incident occurred one day when a detachment oi artillerymen 
-topped in at one of the colored men's kitchens just at mess time. None of the 



THE LIAISON 39 

fellows had their mess kits and this followed: Colored Mess Sergeant, "Sergeant 
Green, I wants you to git me ten mess kits right away, tout suite". Sergeant 
Green, "All right, youse grease-ball; Corporal Jackson, git me ten mess kits, mui 
pronto". Corporal Jackson, "All right. Sergeant Second Platoon — A-ten-shun! 
Fall in with mess kits. Right face. Xow as you niggers pass by these white 
gentlemen, 1 wants you to hand each one of dem your mess kit, 'cause dey is the 
men what furnishes us with dem good garages when we goes over the top." 
Needless to say the hoys got the mess kits and they have always heen enthusiastic 
ever their treatment by the men of tin- ''2nd Division, the only complete division 
of combatant negro troops. 

The instrument detail was also busy. Some of the men were on duty at the 
observation stations. The others worked in the Regimental office where they 
made tip the maps, tracings and worked on the operations for the Regiment. 

The radio detail had their station on top of the same hill occupied by the 
telephone men. They did some splendid work in co-operation with aeroplanes 
in adjusting hre on an Austrian "88". which caused a great deal of anxiety until 
it was finally silenced. Besides their assistance in the firing of the lotteries they 
kept the Regiment informed as to the correct time, a very important thing in 
military operations, and copied all of the official communiques. Their men were 
on duty day and night. 

The Gas officer. Sag Taste, and his assistants were kept busy making the 
rounds of the Ratteries for examinations of positions that had heen shelled, de- 
tective gas shells and keeping them supplied with all the necessarv gas protec- 
tions. They supervised the gas proofing of the dugout on the hill. 

The "hill" referred to was honeycombed with dugouts and passageways. 
The work had heen done with the aid of an electric railroad, which penetrated 
the hill for a distance of a thousand feet at a depth of one hundred feet. The 
dugouts were laid out in a regular manner. Three main passageways, with as 
many entrances, were connected under the hill. ( )n each side of the long pas- 
sages were the rooms, some of them were large enough to accommodate fifty 
men. The whole system was large enough to accommodate a whole regiment. 
The rooms were very comfortable and were lighted by electricity — if one was 
lucky enough to have a bulb. 

1 he first day had not passed when the Old Man made an inspection and 
decided that the place was not clean enough for his men. The next day lack 
Friel appeared on the scene with his squadron of "white wings" and the cleanup 
started. They swept the streets and alleys, hauled away garbage, opened up the 
gutters and made it look like a new village. All of the billets were cleaned out 
and put in good shape. After that it was a daily task to keep the streets clean. 
for thi' French people (the few who were there I, would throw everything that 
they did not want right out in the streets. 

There was a lot of "air activity" in this sector and we had to wear gas 
masks and helmets at all times in order to he prepared for the worst. A bugler 
was on guard all day long and blew "attention" every time a Bosche plane ap- 
peared. That call drove every one under cover until the plane was out of sight. 



40 THE LIAISON 

Bombardments were daily occurrences while we were at St. Genevieve. 
The ( Germans wasted most of their ammunition on the positions that our Batteries 
had occupied. They did chase our men under cover several times though, 
enough to make it very interesting. But occasionally the enemy would increase 
their range enough to drop a few shells on the hillside. ( )n one occasion they 
shelled us a little heavier than usual, A "spare part'' of one of the shells came 
singing across and struck a wall beside our kitchen causing considerable com- 
motion among the cooks and l\. I'.'s. 

More commotion came from an entirely different source. There were some 
colored troops billeted in the kitchen building and the only entrance to their 
quarters was by ladder to a window. That particular shell fragment had not 
reached the ground before a Negro stuck his head out of the window, sniffed 
like a hunted beast and said, "Man. t'se leaving this heah place." And he did. 
followed by a regular stream of smoky companions. Where they went or when 
they came hack no one knows. To-day you will hud pieces of that "spare part' 
on about ten different library tables for it was picked up immediately and divided. 
by the aid of "Corky V blacksmith tools. 

St. ( ienevieve had a little hath house that had been installed by the American 
Engineers. I [ere we could take a hot hath hut the place was so small and so 
dirty that we got as dirty dressing as we were before we started. Hut we were 
<jlad enough to take a chance on any kind of a hath. A barber was brought up 
from the echelon to cut our hair for by this time we were looking pretty rough. 

The Y. M. C. A. in town was a pretty good one for while they had not 
enough room to have a reading room and so forth they did have a good supply 
of the things that the American soldier wanted. We could buy tobacco, cigar- 
ettes, cakes and candy there nearly every day. A Negro hand practiced in an 
old barn back of our billet- every day and they sure could play some. 

The hill on which the town was built was so high that the country was 
visible for miles around, and it was a fine scene-. Fall was just far enough ad- 
vanced to give beautiful coloring to the landscape. The Moselle river wound 
its way in the valley below. There were long stretches of barbed wire in front 
of us hut they did not spoil the picture. in fact they had been there so long 
that they seemed always to have been a pari ot it. 

The peasants worked in the fields, seemingly undisturbed by the roar ol the 
big German guns, or their shells which hurst all day long at no great distance 
and in plain view. Nor did they seem to mind the whirr ot the Bosche planes 
soaring high above them, with shrapnel and high explosive shells from the anti- 
aircraft batteries bursting ail around them. Beyond these fields was a woods in 
which our ammunition train was located. < me of our batteries was located in 
the edge of the woods also. 

( )n top of the bill at Pont-a-Mousson we could see the large statue of Jean 
de Arc standing high and defiant on one of the towers in the old French fortress. 
For four years and a half the Germans had used this statue for a "registration 
point," but for some unaccountable reason only one shell ever struck it. I hat 
shell struck at the base and did very little damage to the statue proper. 



THE LIAISON 41 

< )ctober 20th orders came to move to a rest cam]), and at 6:30 p. m. the 
Regiment started, assembling at Bezanmont for the trip. We moved out under 
cover of the darkness leaving only a few men to explain the situation to the 
colored regiment which relieved us. 

FIRST BATTALION. 

The blackness of as dark a night as time has ever recorded had fallen upon 
us as we were still on the march from our early morning start up t<> our first 
hitch on the front. All afternoon we had been following the valley road along 
the battle-made-historic Moselle river, hut at dusk we had left the Company and 
proceeded on alone. During one of the rest periods, which the weary men and 
horses were making the best of. one of our lieutenants came down along the line 
of carriages informing the men that our position was at the top of the hill up 
which we were just starting. At the time this news seemed encouraging, but as 
we learned later the hill proved to he a veritable mountain. It was only by 
combining several teams and taking one carriage up at a time that by midnight 
we succeeded in pulling up the long drag to the village of St. Genevieve, near 
Pont-a-Mousson. Tn the darkness we found sleeping quarters in an old barn, 
and slept, thinking no more of Bosche dangers. The following morning the game 
of war under actual conditions began in earnest. 

The First Battalion Headquarters received its baptism into the game in the 
upper room of a shell-torn building, which the French artillery outfit that we were 
relieving had used as their P. C. It consisted of two rooms. ( hie of the rooms 
was used as a chart room, while the other served the dual purpose of sleeping 
quarters and observation room. The lower part of the building was occupied 
by an old French woman and her daughter, who had just returned to their 
devastated home. 

At the appointed time for taking over the sector everything was in fine 
working order under the guidance of Captain Babbit, acting Major of the Bat- 
talion. The chief duties of ;i Battalion Headquarters are the operations between 
the batteries and Regimental Headquarters, and it was no mean job. 

This particular front was what is known as a quiet sector and nothing very 
exciting happened for several days. However, as we had everything in readi- 
ness we began to let Fritz know that we were there, and he replied with a ven- 
geance, and the "Whiz-bang" of Austrian 88's became quite familiar. 

As all ot us were new at the war game many amusing incident- occurred: 
in conversations over the telephone. In order not to divulge any military infor 
mation nothing was spoken of by its proper name. Shells were often referred 
to as "beans", gas was called "hot stuff", and so on. ( )n one occasion the 
Adjutant called up one of the batteries and told them to send a man to act as 
guide for some "beans" that were to go down to them. In about half an hour two 
men appeared stating that they were sent up to take a bag of beans back to their 
Battery. 

Artillery activity in this sector was hindered considerably due to the con- 
sistently poor visibility so that we did not accomplish very much as offensive 
artillery, but played the game as the Bosche did: "you tag me. I'll tag you." 



42 THE LIAISON 

We did, however, receive wonderful experience. Scouts, telephone men. ob- 
servers, all learned what was expected of them, and when we left the sector ten 
days later we left like veterans. 

After a Few days at Camp < hiest with the Company, the Detachment went 
into its second position, this time in the Chambley sector before Briey. 

We had just finished our evening mess, our first meal at the village of Vig- 
neulles, when order- came down that the first Battalion was to move forward that 
night. As none of the fellows had as yet unrolled their packs it was the work 
of a very few minutes to hitch the horses to the carriages again and to start out 
on the inarch. 

By this time it was quite dark. Instructions were to take the first road to 
the left and proceed to the village of Hattonville where our guide would meet us. 
Everything went along smoothly as we followed the camouflaged road., and we 
soon reached the outskirts of the village. We halted in the darkened street to 
wait for the guide to show up. An Infantry patrolman informed us. however, 
that the place was under shell fire and advised our moving out of the village a 
short distance. We. however, had orders to meet the guide there and decided 
to wait a little longer. When he arrived we started on. 

The trip forward from here was along an unimproved road, which was 
lighted occasionally by the flare of rockets sent up from the Infantry lines. The 
sound of nearby firing could he heard constantly, and we knew that we were going 
into quite a different sector than our former one. After travelling about an 
hour we left the road and went into a woods in which we were to take tip a 
position. We found shelter in some barracks formerly used by the < Germans. 

( )n this sector we were again relieving a French outfit, so we took over the 
P. C. that they had used. Those who have never taken up the work that French- 
men have left off can hardly appreciate the difficulty connected with it. If you 
ask a Frenchman for information he invariably smiles and motions with his hands 
to the surroundings. If you ask his opinion about something he usually replies 
that "its possible." Captain kinsell, acting Major of the Battalion, at this time, 
had some of this experience at St. Louis Farme. A French Major remained at 
the P. C. to assist in the work of "taking over" the sector. To every question 
that Captain Kinsell a^ked him, or for his advice on some certain objectives, he 
replied, "Veil as von like", or "Et is possible". His lack of assistance, however, 
did not stop us and we were soon in a position to give concentration, barrage or 
sniping fire whenever called upon. 

Some of the experiences that we had on this sector possessed all the thrills 
that the most adventurous desired. < >ur first experience of being bombed at 
night by hostile airplanes, and being caught in a German barrage possessed all the 
thrilC any one would wish. 

SEC< >ND BATTALION. 

It was a long drag up the hill from Bezaumonl to Landremont. Men and 
horses were tired from the all day hike. Climbing the hills along a camouflaged 
road, first taking the reelcart up, then sending the team hack for the fourgon, 



THE LIAISON 43 

working in the dark in a strange country, going forward to we knew not what, 
knowing that we were booked for the front and expecting momentarily to hear a 
shell burst over us — in such a state of mind, it was a time to "test men's souls." 
"idle down-grade into Landremont was finally reached and we drew up in the 
village street in front of the house that was to be Battalion Headquarters. The 
fourgon was parked opposite headquarters, the reelcart and radio "picnic 
buggy" were pulled up a steep little cobble-stoned grade to the rear of the build- 
ing, and the horses tied to the wheels for the night. The detachment was billeted 
in the loft of a barn at the end of the village, except a few who slept in a room of 
the Headquarters building. 

Xot a sound from the enemy had disturbed our entry. .Morning came. 
Mid no disturbance. We found ourselves in a quiet sector, the Marbache Sector, 
relieving a French artillery unit, which stayed on for twenty-four hours, until 
our batteries were in position, and then withdrew. ( )n their withdrawal we 
moved into the billets that they had used. The Battalion was in position at this 
place for a week. < >rricers and men had their final period of training, the actual 
handling of a battle situation. But .American- were not content to rest quietly 
in the sector, and before the week was over made things warm for "Jerry", who 
retaliated in kind. The communication lines were the biggest problem for the 
men of Headquarters. The work day became twenty-four hours and sleep was 
caught by winks. ( )ne night is enough of a sample. It was necessary to lav a 
line to the Infantry and the job proved exciting. Corpora] Watson reported as 
follows : 

"'A line to the Infantry." Those were the orders. No one asked why but 
prepared to start, and everything being in readiness we made otir getaway from 
Battalion Headquarters at 6:00 o'clock" in the evening. \ drizzling rain was 
falling and a heavy mist made the night very dark and disagreeable. 

"We started laving our line from the F battery I'. C. (post of command). 
From there we took a course across country to where we should hit the road 
leading to our forward observation post, which was to be in the town of Tort 
sur Seille. After laying considerably more wire than was necessary, caused by 
losing our way. we reached the road in question. Every one felt relieved on 
reaching it and looked for easy sailing for the rest of the way. Things progressed 
in good order until somewhere in the darkness in front of us a machine gun 
barked. \\ e took to cover. 

"Some one in our party yelled and that brought another volley. Then the 
officer in charge and a scout went forward to reconnoitre and found the machine 
gun nest manned by Americans. We moved Up to the ruins where the nest was 
and found that we had come over a road upon which all traffic was barred, espe 
cially at night. Hut luckilv no one was injured. 

"From the gun emplacement we started for Port sur Seille. but a- we were 
unfamiliar with the ground and were very close to the German lines, we turned 
back towards our own Headquarters. The remainder of the wire was laid by 
hand through a communicating trench by four men. ddie Lieutenant remained 
at the machine gun nest and the rest of the party started back toward the battery 



44 THE LIAISON 

F position. As it was very dark and the rain had increased to a downpour, we 
were compelled to lead the horses, with one hand on the bridle and the other on 
the wire in order to keep on the right track. 

Arriving at the Battery F position we laid the wire from there to Battalion 
Headquarters. We arrived at Landremont at 5:00 a. m.. after an all night trip, 
wet, muddy, and ready for a well-earned sleep. The following day the men left 
it] > forward came straggling hack." 

The observation post was at the top of the very steep hill, halfway down 
whose slope Landremont was situated. From this ( ). I'., Metz could he seen on 
a clear day — but we had no clear days. The hills and valleys from this view- 
point were peaceful looking enough and, if the landscape had not been scarred 
with trenches and barbed wire entanglements, one could easily have thought 
the war a dream ; for even here there were attempts at cultivation, and a few 
cow-, goats and pigs were in the pasture. Captain Norton was Acting Battalion 
Commander in the absence of Major Schlegel, who had been taken to the hos- 
pital from Laimont, with the Spanish Influenza. During the week Captain Nor- 
ton left for a training school at — , where he was detailed as an 

instructor. Captain John X. Garfield, Commander of Katterv D became Acting 
Major. 

The detachment had their own kitchen and drew rations from the dump at 
Bezaumont. Cook Russel Renner was detailed to the Second Battalion detach- 
ment from the Regimental detachment, and Cook Niedbalski from the Supply 
Company. These two remained with the detachment until the end of the war 
and their constant work and interest in the feeding did much to keep up the tine 
esprit de corps of the detachment. 

Saturday, October 19th, 1918, colored artillery of the 92nd Division came 
in to relieve us. That evening the reelcart was loaded and with the greater part 
of the detail pulled out in the dismal rain for the Regimental Echelon at Millery. 
That Saturday the picnic buggy had gone to Marhache for a load of supplies 
from the Y. M. C. A. warehouse. The getaway of the detachment was made in 
the excitement of a big sale of "Eats", the deluge of colored troops, and rain. 

Arrived at Millery, the billet of the Headquarters Company was soon 
located, the reelcart parked and the horses -tabled. The billet was an immense 
old barn or house, whichever is proper — for a French village home is a single 
rnot covering living quarters, stables and haymows. The second and third floors 
of this domicile had been fitted with hunk's. We found room on the third floor 
and were soon asleep. 

The next day the rest of the detachment came to the echelon. I'hi> Sunday 
passed quickly. Monday at 8:30 a. m.. the Regiment left Millery and hiked to 
a rest camp. We crossed the river just outside of Millery. passed through Mar- 
hache and Saiserais to a woods camp near Avrainville. This cam]) was named 
Camp Ouest. Getting into this camp was quite a job. The road was a mere 
track from the main road across the sticky wet clay fields to the woods. The 
wagons were heavily loaded but. by resting the horses frequently, everything was 
finally in park and the men found bunk space. 



THE LIAISON 45 

There were not enough barracks to accommodate the entire Regiment and 
some of the men slept in pup tents. The weather was rainy but the sun shone 
part of the few days we "rested" here. These few days gave us an opportunity 
to clean up. The Supply Sergeant issued new clothes; also by walking to 
Avrainville we could wash clothes at the village wash house. These village 
wash houses are a convenience seen in almost all French villages. While at 
Camp ( >uest we received quite a lot of mail, first and second class. A great 
many letters were written, also. 

Italian soldiers were quartered at Avrainville for work on the railroad. 
This was our first experience with them and we found them very friendly. For 
the most part they were just young hoys. 

VTgneulles. 

Saturday noon. * >ctober 26th, we carried our packs over to the road beyond 
Avrainville and loaded onto auto trucks. The caissons were tied, two behind 
each truck. The truck drivers were French and were tired out from a long 
hitch at the wheel. They must have had a sixth sense to see the road after dark 
without lights. We left Avrainville at 3:00 p. m., passed through Mannoncourt, 
Trembleconrt. Domevre, Manonville, Xoviant, Beaumont, Rambucourt, Roucon- 
ville, and reached Apremont at 10:00 p. m. We slept in the ruins of a big hos- 
telry. 

Sunday was spent here at Apremont wandering about the hills through the 
German trench system and dugouts which had been occupied by them for four 
years, and only recently abandoned. The living quarters in these dugouts were 
complete even to plate glass mirrors, brass beds, and pianos, taken probably, 
from the town. Hack on one hill the German officers had a recreation park and 
beer garden. The ruins of fine old homes in Apremont was especially pitiful. 
The town had only recently been evacuated and ruin was on every side. 

The Regiment left Apremont Monday at 7:30 a. m. on another hike to the 
front. Through \ arneville and Ileudicourt we marched toward Vigneulles. 
The French Artillery whom we were relieving passed us on the road. \\ e 
passed a section gang of black Americans building a roadway across the rail- 
road. They gave us a happy greeting and said. "You boys keep Fritz up there. 
Push him away. We don't want him back this heah way, no suh!" 

Before reaching Vigneulles the Second Battalion detachment turned ofi into 
the woods toward St. Benoit, and established Headquarters in a recently aban- 
doned group of small, one storv. wooden billets. lleinie had lived here in style 
and had left in a hurry. The place was not burned down as so many other billet 
centers in the wood had been. We found stoves and other comforts, even to 
stove wood ready for burning, kitchen utensils, etc. The space about the little 
buildings was filled with hutches for rabbits, in which were miniature racks and 
cement feed troughs. 

We had halted on the main road through the woods, unloaded the fourgon 
and brought everything on a narrow gauge flat car up a muddy side road to the 
billets. 



46 THE LIAISON 

The firing batteries were up ahead of us near the St. Benoit-Fresnes road. 
Some of the telephone men went forward at once to establish communication. 
( >n Wednesday at 4:00 a. m., the Battalion Commander and the Adjutant went 
forward to a new P. ('., near the batteries. A few days later the detachment 
moved forward- 

This new P. C. was in a house just oil the Benoit-Fresnes road toward I I an 
mont. in front of the guns and ju-t back of the outpost lines of the Infantry. 
The gun positions were in front of the Infantry positions. 

Activity increased in intensity daily. The Infantry pulled off nightly raids. 
On one night we were awakened by the alarms oi "gas" coming hack from the 
Infantry advance position. We donned masks but being higher than the Infan- 
try the gas did not reach us. After half an hour the order to remove masks 
was given. 

The officers went forward Frequently in daylight for reconnaissance and 
adjustment. ( )n one of these trips Captain Bluem got into the German trenches, 
located a machine gun nest, directed his Battery fire from his precarious position 
and blew Ileinie's machine guns up. Snipers sighted the Captain but fortu- 
nately he escaped without injury. 

Several times the Germans searched the woods for our positions with their 
fire and kept the air loud with observers. < )n one clear day these German ob- 
servers flew especially low and got away with it. It was decided best to evacuate 
the position temporarily. A hasty withdrawal into the woods was made. And 
none too soon, for the Germans had located the place and shelled it heavily during 
the night. At live o'clock tin- following morning, however, our guns ware back 
in position and firing a barrage- This was the night that Battalion Headquarters 
was moved twice. 

A party from Battalion Headquarters accompanied one of the [nfantry 
raids ; Corporal Beachy tells the story: 

"We had just gone into position on our second trip to the front and we 
were backing tip the 28th Division [nfantry. A big raid was to be pulled oil 
early the next morning. A Battalion of [nfantry was to go over just before 
daybreak and attack from tin- right edge ot our sector. They were to penetrate 
a strip ol woods, the I'ois de Bonseil. 

"The object was to clean out the woods and return with prisoners and infor- 
mation. Our Batteries were called upon to furnish the barrage, and a patrol 
from our company was to go out early into Xo Man's Land to be in readiness to 
establish communication between the attacking troops and our own lines. 

"Ai 1:30 a. m. we were awakened by the guard. We examined our rifles 
and pistols, and reported to the Bn. ! '. C. After giving us our orders, l aptain 
Garfield added, 'Breakfast will be at 7 :M). I don't want to see a man late.' 
\ few minutes later we reported at the Infantry first line. 

"Two [nfantry scouts joined us there and with final instructions as to silence, 
formation, carefulness and dropping to the ground at the least warning, we en- 
tered Xo Man's Land. The little village of Haumont, commonly known as Xo 



THE LIAISON 47 

-Man's Town, because of its location in Xo Man's Land, was held as an advanced 
outpost by our troops, in the daytime, while at night the Germans took it over. 
It was of no military value. Two hundred yards on the opposite side of this 
village we were to take our position in a shell hole. We had laid a light ten- 
phone wire out to this place the day before, being interrupted by enemy snipers. 
"It was a dark night and we could hut dimly make out anything ahead of us. 
As we cautiously rounded the edge of a little wood a low hut clear voice ordered. 
'Halt! Who's there.' It was our outpost and we gave the password as we 
looked into the muzzle of an American machine gun. An open held lav between 
this woods and the village, and assuming a "V" formation, crouching low we ad- 
vanced, slowly and silently, across this field to the outskirts of the village- 

"Here we assumed a new formation, splitting into two single columns, one 
on each side of the narrow street, with safe intervals between each man. From 
this point we had to he more cautious and watchful, for German patrols infested 
the town every night. Every little noise sounded strange and every rock and 
stump looked suspicious as we went on our way among the ruins and rock piles. 
Time after time we dropped flat on the ground to watch, and to listen to a sus- 
picious sound in the next street or in some ruined building, then carefully crawled 
forward again. 

"Finally we reached the other side of the village and crawled out on a road 
that led to the German lines. Suddenly we discovered th.it our Lieutenant was 
missing. Had he strayed too far away from us and been taken prisoner, or had 
he lost sight of the patrol and taken another route? For minutes that seemed 
like hours we lay there straining our eyes in an endeavor to pierce the darkness, 
and listening to catch any little sound that might indicate the whereabouts of 
our missing officer or an enemy patrol. 

"Nothing resulted so we decided to go on without him for it was nearing 
the 'H' hour. We reached the line that we had laid the da\ before and found 
diat enemy patrols had discovered and cut it in a dozen places. There was 
nothing to do hut repair these cuts. After this was done we set out once more 
tor our destination, about two hundred yards away. 

"We had scarcely taken a step before the reports from four batteries 
sounded simultaneously. Our guns were beginning their preliminary shelling of 
the Hois de Housed. Our Doughboys were concentrating at their jumping oft 
place to our right. The sound of our guns and the steady singing of the shells as 
they passed overhead raised our spirits a hundred per cent., for we had all the 
confidence in the world in the men behind those guns. 

"When we reached our shell hole we were surprised to find our lost Lieuten- 
ant there waiting for us- He had become lost at the outskirts of the village 
and finding the wire had followed it to the- hole. 

"The German Artillery began to hark. Our enemy evidently thought thai 
we would u>e ilaumont for a jumping-off place for he was laying down a bar- 
rage all along the edge of the village using II. E. (high explosive) and gas 
shells of large calibre. We were now cut off from our front lines, hut we Mill 
iiad communication with them. 



48 THE LIAISON 

"The first dim rays of light were beginning to make their appearance in the 
eastern sky as the machine guns began their deadly rat-tat-tat. Our Dough- 
boys ha<l reached the enemies' barbed wire and the quick spurts of fire from the 
woods revealed the numerous machine gun nests. 

"Now a new problem confronted us. The enemy barrage was raising 
havoc with our wire and it was necessary to send a man through that shell fire 
to repair it. This necessitated mam' monkey-tactics and snake-like manoeu- 
vers in dodging the shells and hugging old Mother Earth whenever a steel mes- 
senger ended its screaming flight with a Blam! — followed by a shower of earth, 
and shell fragments, or an uncomfortable jarring of the human body if the burst 
happened to he close. But the shells were cutting our wire faster than we could 
repair it. Consequently several runners had to he used to keep up the communi- 
cation. 

"By this time it wa.s quite light and our Doughboys were making great 
headway through the German lines. Wounded men were being carried hack; 
terrified prisoners were unceremoniously escorted to the rear, occasionally accel- 
erated by an impulsive jab with a bayonet. 

"Advancing in the face of strong resistance by enemy machine guns, our 
Doughboys took the woods- The Germans were quick to throw up their hands 
and veil 'Kamerad', when they saw the cold steel of the Yanks threatening them. 
• >ur barrage followed by the Infantry swept the woods. The enemy counter 
battery work availed them nothing; they tried in vain to locate our guns but their 
shell:- dropped harmlessly in vacant areas. The day was ours." 

The weather during these days was spring-like and sunshiny. An < ). I 1 . 
was taken up on a hill under the roof of a tine old French home on the road St. 
Renoit-Fresnes, called Hasavant Ferme. It was from this point that the German 
fireworks exhibition was watched on the night of the eleventh. Shortly after 
the establishment of this < >. I'. the Battalion was moved to the left into a position 
immediately to the rear of the llasavant Ferme building-, and Battalion Head- 
quarters was set up in German billets ;i few hundred meters hack of the batteries. 
\n incident of deep purport that occurred at this ( ). P. is told by one of the 
instrument men as follows : 

Prisoners of War. 

"In the 'Great War', hate, bitter and implacable, was a dominant passion and 
a few times the American soldier was censured for his too chivalrous attitude 
toward the savage Hun, despoiler of homes, child murderer and profaner ot the 
sanctitv of womanhood. The : Doctrine of Mate' was preached vehemently 
by some of our leading magazine writers as absolutely essential to the accom- 
plishment of victory, and retaliation of the Nun type was intimated as our proper 
course of action. But how did the Yankee lad fight? Mas he in any way sul- 
lied the Flag or dishonored its proud heritage of knightly deeds? Is he com- 
ing hack to yon a beast of rampant hate and black pas-ions, his soul polluted with 
the lewd desecration of purity — one who resorted to Hell for the ingenuity that 
gave him victory? ( >r is he coming to vou as one who found his triumph in the 



THE LIAISON 49 

clear consciousness of manly strength and courage, a clean, strong, chivalrous 
soul within, determined to 'play the game square' at all costs? Perhaps you 
think he lacked the inspiration and fortitude that comes from a true perception of 
the ideals at stake: that he fought as a matter of course, little concerned in the 
: >estiny lie was carving for the future with his bayonet. 

"Let me tell you a story, a true story of the immeasurable reaches of the 
heart of the American soldier, a story, simple in detail, that will make you 
supremely proud of America and her champions on the battlefields across the sea. 

"It was about 4:00 a. m., and a cold, drizzling rain, the disagreeable Novem- 
ber kind, was heating down through a dense fog. I was on forward observation 
duty in an old farm house, my head poked through a hole in the roof watching 
tiie Hun lines for any information of military value. Just below me in the soggv 
road a company of Doughboys of the 28th Division were 'falling in' for a raid 
on the Bosche lines. An upwelling of sympathy for the gallant fellows that were 
going out in that mud and rain and fog aroused my interest and 1 listened to 
their preparations. The slush of feet in the mud, the subdued hustle and hushed 
voices of the platoon leaders calling roll came up to me through that impene- 
trable fog charged with a peculiar uncanniness, and I shivered at the horror of 
this beastly game of war. Gallant fellows, every one, endowed with youth and 
its resplendent hopes, entitled to peace and home and friends, going out without 
a murmur, yes, eagerly, and gladly, to an unforseen fate — going because above 
all this an ideal, dearer than life and home and friends, was at stake. 

"Their Colonel was present to give them an inspection and final instructions. 
Carefully be looked to the equipment of each man. helmet, gas mask, rifle, band 
grenades and wire cutters. Then he explained their mission, its importance, the 
grave dangers involved, the necessity for absolute quiet and discipline. Their 
objective was a strong German support position, a veritable nest of machine 
guns almost impregnable. They were to work their way forward, silently cut 
their way through the enemy's wire entanglements, creep up to the position and 
fall upon it if possible before discovered. Success depended upon the perfect 
quietness of the operation- There was to be no supporting Artillery barrage. 
Calling upon each man to do his part he sent them away with, 'Good luck, good 
bye. and I pray God's blessings upon you every one.' Then out through the night 
they went in double hie without a sound other than the dull measured Splash, 
splash, splash of moving feet in the dee]) mud. Grimly silent, going out in the 
grey gloom of such a morning to the attack of a cunning foe. without Artillery 
support, where in all this is the adventuresome dash, tin- sustaining excitement 
of the open encounter? What inspiring forces in these somber etchings of this 
cold, calculating business of war to cheer them to deeds of high valor? 

"Perhaps an hour later the persistent rat, tat. tat of machine gun and rifle 
fire told me that the raid was on. Following almost immediately on this was 
the roar of I lun Artillery, and my mind tilled with dire misgivings. Instinctivelv 
I felt that the raid had failed, that our boys bad been caught in the Bosche defen- 
sive barrage as they advanced. With these fears in mind I left the post at the 
end of my shift and went hack to the Battalion for morning mess. 



50 THE LIAISON 

"On returning to the farm house 1 found there the remnants of the company 
returned from the raid. I say remnants thoughtfully, for it was literally true. 
The raid had failed disastrously, resulting in the loss of eighty men. In some 
way Fritz had 'got wise' to the whole affair and was ready for them. Accord- 
ing to the story told things seemed to he going fine. ( )ur men had worked their 
way up to the outer defense, cut their way through the wire entanglements and 
were just reach' to fall upon the enemy, when, suddenly and without the least 
warning, rifles, machine guns and Artillery cut loose on them with a hail storm 
of steel. The Lieutenant commanding instantly saw the desperate predicament 
they were in. Turning he shouted. 'We are trapped. For God's sake get hack,' 
and fell dead. So quickly was it necessary to act that only a few of the wounded 
were secured, the rest being left on the field. 

"Hut now we come to the real story, that which so beautifully exemplifies 
the true grandeur of the American fighting man. ' )n their retreat from the 
disastrous field they had captured two Germans in an advanced listening poet. 
These they had in the old barn sitting at the bottom of the stairway. A group 
of the hoys was around them and one was talking to them in German. They 
were muddy, and wet. and cold and looked as though they expected unspeakable 
torture from the group of Yanks around them. Their eyes, from out pale faces, 
glanced furtively and fearfully at their captors and they had little to say. Sit- 
ting close to them was a little Doughboy plastered with mud ftom head to foot, 
hands and face scratched and bleeding. Seeing their abject fear his heart was 
touched with pity for these creatures of an Army whose inhuman leader in 1914 
chose to order 'ravaging by fire and sword, the slaughter of men. women and 
children and old folk, the levelling of every tree and every house.' Awkwardly 
and confusedly he extended to them a bag of 'Bull Durham' and cigarette 
papers. (Bless him ! He blushed because he was afraid his pals would call him an 
old woman). You should have seen the glow of gratitude in the -yes of those 
men. the wonderment and surprise! Their faces seemed to say. 'What, are these 
the Americans to whom we were never to surrender, because of the awful tor- 
tures they inflicted upon prisoners?" It was one of those little, usually un- 
noticed things in life that makes this such an immeasurably dear old world to 
live in. They accepted the gift gratefully and eagerly and started to roll cigar- 
ettes, hut their hands were too cold. Seeing this the same little Doughboy passed 
them out a pack of 'tailor mades". with the full and admiring approval of his 
comrades — men who had just been out in that cold wet morning facing wounds 
and death from these whom they now befriended. 

''There were a few fellows present out of an outfit on it> way to the front, 
men new to the game. ( )ne of them sneered at this little unassuming show of 
kindness and remarked that the dirty hounds ought to he shot, treated as they 
treated their prisoners. Like a flash the little Doughboy replied. 'We don't 
treat prisoners that way. buddy; we ain't Bosche, we're Americans.' The re- 
vengeful one had not another word to say. he was utterly subdued. \nd who 
would not have been in the face of such unembittered restitution of good for 
evil, such complete fulfillment of the 'love thine enemies' degree? 



THE LIAISON 51 

"Then some one stepped out into the hall and said, 'bring them in here.' 
I followed them into the room, saw them seated at a table and set before each 
"lie a plate heaped high with hot cakes, and syrup running over the sides. The 
cook with face in smiles, was bustling around the stove frying more cakes to 
take the place of those disappearing from the plates so rapidly. The prisoners 
were literally transfigured, their pale, pinched faces suffused, their eves fairly 
aglow with unspeakable appreciation. One said. 'It is hard to believe' that this 
is not a dream after all the lies our leaders told us. Mad I known what I know 
now. 1 would have been a prisoner two years ago.' There yon have the splendid 
truth exemplified; the German is no more to be conquered by cruelty in the inner 
citadel of his heart than we are. Where the force of cruelty fails' the might of 
mercy is insnperable. 

"This is the story, my most profonnd impression of the war, and what a 
moment of exalted pride it was. one of those luminous occasions of infinite 
heights and depths that come so rarely in the short span of a lifetime. That is 
how the Yanks fought and therein yon rind why we won." 

.Many Artillery units, both light and heavy, entered the sector and went into 
position. The Infantry was greatly reinforced. These were the days preceding 
the end. We received the news of November 8th telling of the German plenipo- 
tentaries entry into the Allied lines with mingled feelings of hope and. surprise. 
Preparation went steadily forward for an enormous drive with Briey a., the ob- 
jective. ( >n the morning of the eleventh this drive was to start. Some of the 
Doughboys did go over in raids on that morning and paid the Great I Vice on the 
verge of Peace. 

The final morning of the war and the reactionary celebration of peace is 
well recounted by Corporal Beachy: 

11-11-11. 

"Eleven-eleven-eleven-eighteen. that is 11:00 a. m. of the 11th day >f the 
11th month of 1918— a date not soon to he forgotten by any soldier who' chanced 
to be on the firing line at that memorable time. 

"We had been sending over a slow steady fire all morning. The Doughboys 
were mixing it with Ifeinie at various points along the line. We had been told 
that hostilities would cease at 11 :00 o'clock, hut we doubted it nevertheless. We 
were anxiously awaiting the eleventh hour. 

"At 10:59 all Hell seemed to have broken loose. Every gun on the entire 
line roared and blazed its farewell message. At eleven o'clock all was silence. 
Cannoneers had fired their last shot; Doughboys still held on to their rifles and 
wondered; airmen hovered dubiously overhead. The war had breathed its Iasr. 
It was difficult, almost impossible to comprehend. We had learned to associate 
!• ranee with war and it was not easy to conceive of being there in the midst of 
shell-wrecked ruins and barbed wire, and no longer hear the rumblings of the 
guns, the whining of the shells as they sped through the air. or the Blam of a 
'210' as it ploughed through the earth. It took time to realize what it meant. 

"The downhearted, beaten Germans had evidently been waiting this hour. 
The smoke from the last shell burst had scarcely cleared away when they threw 



52 THE LIAISON 

down their guns, tossed their helmets into the air and plunged through the 
barbed wire Heinies and Yanks were soon gathered in small groups out in No 
Man's Land asking questions and swapping souvenirs. 

"The evening of that day witnessed a wonderful transfiguration. Instead 
of the dark gloomy outlines of shattered villages, lights shown from the interior 
of these ruins: happy faces gathered about blazing fires; all talked of home and 
sang old familiar melodies, rehearsing in the mud all of the popular dances of 
die modern ball-room. 

"Ambulances, trucks, officers' cars and motorcycles that heretofore had fe^t 
their way along the roads in total darkness, now sped by with the tail and head 
lights flaring brightly. 

"( >n the other side of Xo .Man's Land I leinie seemed to he even more jubi- 
lant. Blazing tires leaped skyward; moving lights dotted the hills, woods and 
roads; dazzling rockets of all colors and descriptions shot up into the sky all 
along the lines, the splendor of the scene surpassing any Fourth of July cele- 
bration. 

"There were few men who did not sit up till late that night or lie awake 
talking of good old times hack home and making elaborate plans for the future." 

The night of the 12th. the detachment did not turn in early. There were too 
manv letters to write and possible developments to talk over. Everybody was 
feeling fine and when the lights were out, lay awake in the old ( ierman billet, 
telling stories. Shortly before midnight we went to sleep, but just at twelve the 
telephone operator yelled out moving orders. Soon we were up, made rolls and 
loaded the wagon. In the chill of the night we walked through the woods by 
candle and flashlight to the road. At the main woods road we built a fire and 
waited for the reelcart and party from the < >. P. at llasavant Ferine. When 
they came, the detachment, together again as a unit, walked through the early dawn 
to \ igneulles. Mere on the C(\i!;v of town in the ruins of somebody's home we 
set up the field range and Pinkie and Max soon had hot pancakes and coffee 
ready. It was our last "get-together" as a detachment. We had been together 
during the Great Experience and had formed associations that will he life long 
-"the old lighting Second." From this morning on tin- story merges again to the 
story of the Company as a whole- 

Recourt. 

At Vigneulles in front of the Chateau that had been Regimental Headquar- 
ters, trucks from the 28th Division were waiting to take the Regiment hack From 
the front line positions. After a deal of trouble in loading, the truck train pulled 
out. Hack through Heudicourt to Apremont we went. At Apremont had been 
the Supply Company and Band in Echelon. We halted there some time while 
the caissons were fastened onto the rear of the trucks. Since our first sight ol 
the town- the walls had been dynamited until practically the entire place was a 
heap <d* stones. Infantry troops walking back from the front tilled the roads 
continually. 

From Apremont we rode in the gathering darkness toward St. Mihiel but 
could see the battlefields of that first (ierman rush in 1 ' > 1 -4 and the signs of the 



THE LIAISON 53 

subsequent stuggle. It was dark when we went through the great arch into St. 
Mihiel and on to the l'.ois de Meuse camp near Recourt, which we reached about 
9:00 o'clock. Materia! was parked off the road, horses were cared for and then 
we found billets for ourselves in the woods. The buildings could not nearly 
accommodate the outfit and many slept under the stars. 

The next few days a readjustment was made and the Regiment settled down 
to what proved to be a lengthy stay. In this cam]) the Army Rumor came into 
its own again. Each day had a new story of what wa> to happen and each suc- 
ceeding day found us still encamped. 

A series of apres le guerre problems as a Regiment were worked out to occupy 
iime. Notably one to the Argonne sector at Brabant north of Verdun. 

The cam]) was improved, as usual with the 134th. 1 'asses to nearby towns, 
such as liar le Due and Nancy were issued. < hie party of six spent Christmas 
week at the recreation center at Aix le Bains. Another group went on furlough 
to Val-les-Bain.s, another recreation center. 

To Aix Les Bains on Furlo. 

It was on Monday evening. December 15th, (1918, at Camp Mariaux. that 
Sergeant "Gil"' called six of us — Sergeants Bullard, Clinton, and Points, Cor- 
porals Cogar, McAvoy, and Miller, into his office and informed us that, as we 
had had no furlough in the States, we had first chance to take a trip for seven 
days, not inclusive of traveling time going and coming. < )f course, being either 
at the front or back in the woods ever since coming up from Cam]) de Souge, 
we did not know very much about this place called Aix les Bains, but we de- 
cided to take a chance on anything to get out of the mud for a while. The 
order read, "leave at midnight." Now this seemed a funny time to start on a 
picnic, but we were willing to put up with anything. Then came polishing shoes, 
tan if possible, (and if you don't have tan, borrow) cleaning and pressing the 
best uniforms and at 8:00 p. m. we were all set to go. At 10:00 p. m. an order 
came down setting the time forward till the next midnight. Well, we didn't 
care as it was raining anyway. 

Wednesday evening finally came and at midnight we were off. along with 
fifty-eight others from our own Regiment, in trucks from the ammunition train. 
It was a beautiful, clear night with a full moon and aside from the muddy roads 
it was nice traveling. We arrived in St. Mihiel at 2:00 a. in., at what was at 
one time the station. Our train was due to start at 4:00 a. m. Men from 
other Regiments were here and with them we made up the train. It had turned 
cold and started t<> rain. Time was getting on cur nerves, hut still we thought 
that we would get away on time. We did not figure on the Frog schedule and 
it was 10:30 before she steamed in on three legs. We loaded and started on our 
way at once. < >ur six fellows got together in the same compartment, a third 
class one with three windows out. We arrived at Commercy at 1:30 p. in., 
stopping about fifteen minutes: Ton! at 3:30; Frouard at 4:00, where we took on 
six hundred more men from the Sixth Corps; and on a siding at Nancy at 6:00 
]). m. We stayed there over night, having the preference id' sleeping in the 
train or going to the city. 



54 THE LIAISON 

At 9:30 in the morning we were formed into squads and marched to the 
big bath house that is used by the Y. M. C. A. We had lunch at noon and were 
given any new clothes that we needed and then came the hath. A large build- 
ing has been put up over an old Roman hath pool. The dressing rooms are 
built into the walls and one can jump out of them into the pool. The water 
comes warm from natural springs. After having all the sport we wished we went 
hack to the town till 5:30 when we again started on our way. 

By a little luck we were put in a more comfortable compartment. The only 
way we got any sleep was to get it sitting up or lying down on some other fellow's 
shoulder. Morning finally came and so did soreness and stiffness. It still rained, 
later turning to snow. 

Toward afternoon we were Hearing our destination, but it seemed that our 
train went on a side track for everything that came along on wheels. We passed 
through Emay, Rossilon and Culoz, a pretty little city on the mountain side, with 
quite a number of manufacturing buildings dotted here and there. As w : e neared 
\ix les Bains we passed numerous waterfalls, and mountain stream- running 
everywhere. 

At 4:00 p. m. we arrived at Aix les Bains in the rain, were unloaded and 
inarched to the central part of the city. Each man passed through the gate at 
the "check in," as they call it. and was assigned to his hotel. We six were sent 
to the Villa Bonna and a hue place it was. The first thing that you notice, of 
course, is the hue rooms to which you are sent — electric lights, running water, 
Napoleon beds — you think that you are hack" home in the U. S. A. again — quite 
a contrast to the muddy and dirty camps, bating is one of the big things of the 
trip and its up to you to get your fill. None had to be coaxed. 

( )n arising in the morning you are surprised to see the great snow -covered 
Alps. Right behind your house they seem, stretching away out of sight into the 
clouds. Aix les !'>ains is a famous watering place in a \ alley along the French 
Alps. Not far from the Italian border, at the foot of Mt. Revard. it lies a short 
distance from Lake Bourget, the largest and most beautiful lake in France. 

The biggest attraction is the Casino, used by the "Y", built in 1912 by some 
of the French "higher ups" as a center for sports and amusements. There is 
the ball room, motion picture room, theater, which seats about three thousand, 
reading and writing room, canteen and lunch room, and pool and billiard room. 
AH is free for the soldiers except the eats and you get so much at your hotel yon 
just sort of piece-meal here. The buildings are wonderfully decorated and 
thousands of lights shine from the ceilings and walls. 

Next in attraction is Mt. Revard, 5,300 feet above sea level. We had great 
sport sliding down the slopes on skiis and sleds. Then there is the old Roman 
bath, running hot water all the time, a tine stone building over it, where, before 
the war people came to <^ct their "rheumatics" loosened up a bit : the old Roman 
gate, built centuries ago; the Gorges which by the way are not as beautiful as our 
own Niagara balls; a trip across the lake and up the mountain to visit the old 
\l.bev, in use years and years ago; and Hannibal's pass just across the lake 
where von can see Mt. Blanc from the Cat's Tooth. 



T H E L I A I S O N 55 

Chambley is a short distance by rail, a larger city than Aix and very pretty, 

with many large buildings and stores. Here is the Fountain of the Elephants, 
also the great picture, "Xero and the Chariot Race." which is valued very highly 
by the French. 

.After you have wandered from place to place, seeing all the sights each day, 
going to the "T"' in the evening, to vaudeville shows, such as we see in the States, 
eating all you want and lying in bed till you want to get up, its hard to start back- 
to camp again when your seven days are up. ( )urs ended on Saturday, December 
28th. We loaded 1 in our special train at 8:30 p. m. and again came the agony 
of riding on the French trains. 

We arrived at Echitettl at 11 :00 a. m., on the 2'>th, laid over on a side track 
for twelve hours, and then started on our way to camp. Arriving at St. Mihiel 
in the afternoon of the 31st we waited for the trucks to take us to camp. We 
got there at 6:30 wet and hungry, but a happy bunch, ending one of the best trips 
of our lives. 

'•Oh, Lord Ain't it awful !" 

THE GOING AND COMING OF THF "16." 
Vals Les Baixs. 

Sometime during the infancy of the A. F. I\, some one at the rather mythical 
place known as G. H. Q., conceived the idea of giving the American "soldats" 
overseas the privilege of enjoying a seven-day furlo from their various organ- 
izations after a period of four months' service overseas. The idea grew into a 
realitv, and certain French watering places and resorts were leased by the Gov- 
ernment for this purpose. 

During the course of events it came to pass that on the morning of January 
12th, 1 (, 1 ( >, sixteen men from the Headquarters Company of the 134th Field 
Artillery left their organization to visit one of these aforementioned leave areas, 
namely, Fa Bourboule. 

They made the trip to St. Mihiel in motor trucks, there getting on a leave 
train composed of captured German passenger coaches, and after intermittent 
spasms of starting and stopping, covered the first lap of the journey and stopped 
at Nancy. 

Here they were to go through the process of de-cootie-ization. receive clean 
clothes and proceed with the journey, hut owing to the lateness of the day it was 
decided that this must he postponed until the following morning. ( herhearing a 
conversation between the officers in charge of the tram, in regard to calling the 
men together and announcing to them that they would have to remain in the 
coaches all night and not he allowed the privileges of the city, one of the "Id." 
who had visions of steak and pomme de terre, and a nice, comfortable bed in a 
hotel, hastened with the awful news to his comrades. They, being dutiful sol- 
diers and not wishing to disobey any orders issued to them, promptly got lost from 
the train and wandered around until they found themselves in the heart of Nancy. 
Having heard no orders read forbidding them the city, they had no troubled con- 
sciences and proceeded to fulfill aforesaid visions in reality. 



56 



THE LIAISON 



They assembled in the morning and proceeded to the Nancy Thermal Baths, 
where they received clean clothes throughout from the Government, hot choc- 
olate, cakes, bread and jam from the "Y," and a bath. This latter was taken in 
an immense swimming pool, 250 x 100 feet, into which an eight-inch stream oi 
water, heated by Mother Nature, flows continually. 

The valiant "16" came from the hath, which for months before, had been 
hut a word in the English language, and one seldom used at that, and appeared 
none the worse for the immersion. In fact they looked a whole lot better for it. 

While waiting for the time to go hack to the train, a rumor started 'round 
to the effect that their place of destination had been changed, and that they were 
now to go to Vals les Bains. This rumor turned out, as rumors seldom do, to be 
true, and there was much speculation as to the reason for the change, and whether 
it would be a better place or not. This debate lasted until time for them to pro- 
ceed back to the train they had left so unceremoniously the night before. After 
lying in the wards for a long time it finally pulled out. During the rest of the 
trip down they passed through the towns of Epinal, Besancon, Bourg en lireese. 
Valence and Montelimar, arriving at Vals les Bains on the morning of the 15th. 
\fter the routine of having their passes stamped by the A. I'. M. (.Assistant 
Provost Marshal ) and being assigned and guided to their respective hotels, they 
went forth to view the terrain. 

Vals les Bains, or "The Vale of Main- Fountains," is situated in the Depart- 
ment of Ardeche, and has a population of above five thousand. The Civennes 
Mountains cross the Ardeche Department from east to west. Vals is situated on 
the southern slopes of these mountains ami has an elevation of 800 feet above 
sea level, the peaks of the surrounding mountains rising to a height of between 
five and six thousand feet. 

Tlie stone roads and vineyards which cover the hills of Ardeche have been 
more than two thousand years in the building. The Romans laid the founda- 
tions for the wonderful system of roads which now covers this country like a net 
work from the largest cities to the smallest village on the mountain top--. ( >n the 
eastern hank of the Ardeche River, a few miles below \ als is the site oi a Roman 
camp occupied by Caesar and his legions during the latter years of the Gallic 
wars. It doe> not require a student of history to tram]) the hills and valleys oi 
\rdeche with their buildings, ancient and modern, their roads and vineyards, 
houses and implements of labor, to read the history of more than twent\ centuries. 
It was in this section of the country that the 1 [uguenotS made their last stand ; 
here that the revolt of Roure, in the time of I ouis X I \ .. foreshadowed tin- French 
Revolution, when the guillotine avenged his cruel death upon the wheel, and his 
bleeding head was hanged above the gate oi Aubenas. 

It does not fall to the lot of main', as it did to the "16," to view the world 
renowned "Carriere de Ruoms," or Quarry of Ruoms, where were quarried the 
foundations of France's beautiful gift to us. the Statue of Liberty. The Quarry 
is situated twenty-five kilometers south of Vals on the way to Pont d'Arc, the 
famous natural stone bridge. 



T H E L I A I S O N 57 

There are in Vals and its vicinity, more than three hundred medicinal springs. 
In Yals alone there are one hundred and twenty-eight of these springs. \moiv 
the chief industries of Vals is the making of bottles and the bottling of these 
waters, which find market throughout France and England mostly, although they 
are known to the markets of the world; the manufacture of an artificial silk cloth 
the cultivation of the silk worm and weaving of pure silk; but the most im- 
portant industries arc the raising of live stock and the care of the vineyards. 

Vals is a world-famed pleasure resort. Health and pleasure seekers from 
the entire world have visited the Baths and keen relieved of their francs at the 
Casino. The Casino, built in 1898, a magnificent structure furnished with every 
luxury known at that time, is situated in a beautiful park of sycamore trees, on 
the right bank of the Volane River. Before the war. popular operas were to be 
heard in the theater. There was greater enchantment at night, though, than the 
music, for throngs were attracted to the brilliantly-lighted gaming parlors. ( )n 
the upper floors, Bacarat held supreme sway, while Roulette rivalled it on the 
lower floors. Roth of these games collected heavy toll from the players, and 
many a pleasure seeker left poorer but maybe wiser. Since the war ended and 
the Government has taken over the place as a leave area, the Casino has been 
changed into a Y. M. C. A. 

Mere the soldiers find a club house, convenient, magnificent and luxurious, 
where there is writing material, books, magazines, papers, and on the lower floor 
a "wet"' canteen, wet as coffee, tea, and chocolate can make it, and where cakes, 
bread and jam can be procured. Downstairs in the "Grotto" there is a dry can- 
teen where cigars, cigarettes, and so forth are for sale. This "Grotto" was at 
one time a natural cave, but the management, seeing its possibilities, added a few 
improvements in the way of heat, light, and comfortable chairs and made it into 
a smoking and lounging room. Milliards, table games, pianos, and victrolas help 
pass the hours not otherwise taken up. At night, movies and vaudeville are to 
be seen at the theater. The V. M. C. A. also provides guides to conduct hikes to 
points of interest in the locality, and Ardeche has main-. 

The town of Yals can be described as a "City of Motels." built on two 
streets, one on either side of the Volane River, that being all the room available 
between the abrupt slopes of the hills and the river, and extending up and down 
the valley for a distance of about three miles. 

The town itself offered very little in the form of amusement, other than to 
those who wished to reform their friendship with the Vin Sisters, whom they met 
shortly after they landed in France, but whose acquaintance they did not have a 
chance to cultivate before they left for the Front. However, towns in the near 
vicinity afforded amusements in various forms. The men on leave could enjoy 
these if they cared to visit them, and needless to say. they all did. for there is no 
one more curious than a Yank. He wants to see all that there is to be seen. 

( )n the 26th, the "16," having been somewhat scattered about, each seeking 
pleasure in the form that he liked best and with his particular pal or pals, again 
assembled in front of the A. P. M. to check out. Although they were rather 
destitute when it came to francs, they were -till in high spirits for they had been 



58 T H E L I A I S O N 

soaking up rumors, during the last few days of their leave, to the effect that the 
old outfit was to "parti tout suite pour le Etat Unis." 

At the A. P. M. they made the painful discovery that the return trip was to 
be made in box cars. The old stuff, 40 Homines and 8 Chevaux, over again. 
That trip will remain long in the memories of the "16," and caused many avowals 
that "the next time I go on a leave I'll stay at home." But the trip was finally 
accomplished, the route being somewhat different than on the way down, and 
affording a little more of interest to the travelers. It seems that in France there 
is quite a family of Vins and the engineer and fireman must have had a speaking 
acquaintance with every one of them for they stopped to pass the time of day 
with each one along the right of way, much to the displeasure of the "16," they 
being unable to accompany the engineer and fireman for the reason that the \ in 
Sisters frown on those who are franc-less. 

Arriving at St. Mihiel they were "sardined" into Quads and taken back to 
their outfits, where the different billets rang with. "Now, down in Vals — " and 
"When I was in Aubenas that time — ." for days and undoubtedly will in days 
to come. 

We Write History. 

It was during this period in the Recourt woods that the idea developed of 
writing a history of the Company. Many interesting and already reminiscent 
hours were spent working on it by a number of the outfit. 

A Y. M. C. A. man. Mr. Colby, came to the Regiment and did us great 
service in getting supplies to us. The old-time Sheridan Minstrel Troupe was re- 
organized and toured a large circuit very successfully. 

When we were paid on January S, I'd 1 ', we used little black-covered Pay 
Books for the first time. These we kept and presented each pay-day until we 
turned them in on March 31st at Camp Stuart, Virginia, when we received out- 
first home-coming pay in regular greenbacks again. 

Recourt to Brest. 

Finally things began to stir in the woods cam]). Sergeant Ringo came back- 
to the outfit from the Motor School on January 10th and Corporal Cooper re- 
turned from the hospital on the 12th. 

Shortly after the middle of January the material was collected and checked 
in. ( >n lanuarv 23rd all material was turned in. Details went to several nearby 
railroad towns with this equipment, most of which was destined for Toul. 

( >n [anuary 27th the Division passed under the control of the S. O. S. ( Serv- 
ice of Supply). It was this branch of the American Army that controlled the 
homeward movement of troops. So this date turned our faces westward in 
earnest. 

Possiblv in jubilation of this new phase of our experience, "an angry mob of 
Bolsheviki" on the night of January 30th played havoc with the army moustaches 
of tin- out fit. 

Moving orders found us on the- alert, and on Tuesday morning, February 
4th, I'd'', at 10 o'clock, the Regiment left Camp Mariaux. We marched full-pack 



THE LIAISON 



59 



U 'l >U \ ReC0Urt t0 T,,h - on throu S h Boquemont and Woimbey to Bannoncourt 
Which we reached at 1 : 30 p.m. At 5 : 30 p.m. we had entrained in box-cars and 
parted south. After a night of many stops we found ourselves early Wednes- 
day morning at Pagny-sur-Meuse. By 7 : 30 a.m. we were at Neuchateau Here 
the tram stopped for several hours and we visited the Y. M. C A and Red Cross 
\> noon we pulled out. On through Andelot we we.it to Bologne. where we 
stopped long enough for the cooks to serve coffee. 

When we woke the next morning we were at St. Florentine This day we 
went through Moneteau, Auxerre, Clamecy. Cosne. and Bourges Friday morn 
mg we found ourselves at St. Martin le Beau. Traveling at good speed 'all day 
we covered ground fast, passed through the outskirts of Tours, through Savon- 
lerres, Saumur and by 3 p. m. were in the depot at Angers. Only a momentary 
stop was made here and then we went north to Segre, where we were side-tracked 
for the night. The next morning we left Segre and by noon pulled into I e I ion 
d Angers. Saturday, February 8th. 1919. Here we detrained in the sunshine of a 
beautifu day in this fine old French town. Headquarters found their alloted 
billet to be the servants' quarters and barn of a chateau in the town, and we were 
soon settled. 1 hen came acquaintance-making and souvenir-buying The towns- 
people proved to be of a better class of French than we had ever been near and 
they were very friendly. ( >ur stay with them was marked from first to last with 
mutual and cordial respect and interest. 

A month in such surroundings passed quickly and was speeded toward the 
end with beaucoup inspections. The Company was de-cootie-ized at Wers on 
February 24th New clothes were issued, dismounted packs issued to every one 
physical and clothing inspections were passed, and we were ready to go 

Amusement was scarce in Le Lion. The V. M. C. A., under the & leadership 
of Mr. Stimpson, an old friend from Y59 at Sheridan, opened a canteen, reading 
room and chocolate shop. One night the Company entertained itself with a 
Great I rial before the High Court of Kangaroo. This was Saturday, Feb. 23rd. 

First call came at 4 a.m. on Friday. March 7th. After breakfast we emptied 
ticks cleaned billets, loaded packs on trucks and at 7 a.m. marched out of town 
The Regiment assembled on the road just outside of town, started the march at 
S a.m. and after a very enjoyable hike, marched through Chateau Gontier at 
l-:4, p.m.. headed by the Land. The populace was out to-hear the Band 

We got our packs at the depot, were assigned to the box-cars, which were 
American made, and then some Y ladies served hot chocolate. Soon after the V 
men came along with cigarettes. Iron rations were issued to each car and at 
3: 50 p.m. we pulled out. At Laval we stopped long enough to get a hot meal 
from the cook car attached to the train. 

In the morning we crawled out of the hay to find ourselves at Brest within 
sight o the harbor. After unloading we had breakfast at a huge mess-hall run 
by V American °«tfit. After breakfast we slung our packs and marched 

up the steep cobble-stoned street, through Brest and down-hill out of the town 
I hen up another hill and into Camp Pontenezan. Here we found a great camo 



60 THE LIAISON 

laid out hoard walks, pyramidal tents, great mess-halls, etc. The barracks of 
Napoleon II are here and some say Cfesar billeted his men on this site in one o! 
his campaigns. 

Spring cots and two extra blankets were "hard to take." Supper was an 
experience, an apparent confusion, but really the working of a splendid system. 
Long lines of men were served at many serving tables or "alleys, going on 
through to the mess-hall by way of lanes railed off on either side, eating at long, 
narrow, corrugated iron tables that were breast high, then on through more 
wooden lanes to hot mess-kit water, and out again into the cam]) grounds — a won- 
derful system of feeding. A count was made while we were here in camp and 
eight thousand men were fed in forty-one minutes in this one mess-hall. Every 
man had all the time he wanted in which to eat. as the eating hall was ampl) 
sized to give everybody room. 

( >n Monday, March 10th. the Company had a passenger list formation. In 
the afternoon we marched to a large delousing and laundry plant nearby for 
physical and cootie inspection. The same night several hundred non-coms, and 
men answered a camp call for working details. Some of the fellows worked all 
night, others were sent hack to the regimental cam]). 

After dinner the next day we hurriedly made our packs, hurried with them 
over to a big building next to the one we were in the day before, went through 
a hurry-up, show-down equipment inspection, hurried so last to put the packs 
together again that everybody was sweating when they came out, hurried back 
to cam]) to he looked over individualh and criticized on appearance by the Captain. 

< >ur francs were changed to real American money just before supper. ( )rders 
came. also, to move the next morning. We were up at four, accordingly, for an 
early breakfast. We started out at seven hut once on the main cam]) street we 
were turned hack. The hold-up was only temporary and at 9 :30 a.m., we were on 
our way to the dock. I fere the Red Cross ladies gave us each a pair of sox rilled 
with a regular Christmas layout of chocolate, cakes, tobacco, cards, gum. jam. etc. 

A Tin i' i x a I'm, Battlesh ir. 

At \2:2() p.m. we left the dock on the ferry-boat and started out into the 
harbor to the U. S. S. Xew Hampshire. It surely looked good to US to sec the 
voung American sailors and they were eager to give us welcome. We crossed 
the gang-plank onto the deck of the battleship, were each given a tag showing our 
assignment to compartment, billet, and mess, wound around the deck, inside and 
downstairs to find our quarters in a fine spick-and-span corridor. We took our 
toilet kits out of the packs, also blankets and canteens. Then tin- packs were 
stored in the lower pari of the ship. The shi|)"v band played a concert. We were 
soon getting acquainted with the "gobs." and found them mighty fine boys. At 
.} p.m. we were under way, steaming out ol the harbor. 

We were twelve days on board — days full of acquaintance-making, sight- 
seeing and good eating. The crew were as fine a bunch of fellows as ever got 
together and all did their utmost to make us feel that our real home-coming 
started the day we set foot on the deck of the Xew Hampshire. We were priv- 



THE LIAISON 61 

ileged to poke around different parts of the ship, and to most of us this was a 
novel and welcome experience. 

Good weather kept up all the way with the exception of two spells of rather 
stormy weather. Hut there was remarkably little seasickness on this trip. 

Monday morning, March 23rd. we sighted land and were soon close in- 
shore. At 1 : 10 p.m. we docked at C. & ( ). Pier Xo. 5. Newport News. Virginia 
After a reluctant and yet jubilant farewell to the boys of the crew, we went down 
tin- gang-plank into the ever-ready arms of the Red Cross and some home folks 
from ( >hio. The ladies this time gave us chocolate, a big cookie, and a pack of 
"Camels." 

Then with the Hand playing, colors flying and displaying the service ribbons 

of the Marbache and Thiaucourt Sectors, received at 1 '.rest, we marched through 

^ ew Port News to Camp Stuart. Our packs were light for some reason. The 

sight of real American people once more made us feel at home at once. At the 

• •amp we found barracks and spring beds, and in the canteens the PIE counter' 

We were at Camp Stuart until Tuesday. April 1st. After another delousing, 

clothing, and great activity in the camp pressing establishment, we boarded a 

tram of honest-to-goodness American SLEEPERS (An Revoir, Box Cars!) 

and were off for home at 10 a.m. At 12:20 p.m. we pulled into Richmond. Here 

we stopped, got off, and hied into the depot where the Red Cross ladies served 

cookies, chocolate, and coffee. Pies were bought right and left from verniers. 

After we got hack on the train the cooks served hot beans, jam. peaches, and 

bread It's a good army now. At 4:30 p.m. we passed through the Marines' 

Iraunng Camp at Paris Island. Quantico, Virginia, and at 5:15 were passing 

through Washington. D. C. We stopped at the Red Cross station, where we had 

stopped on our way to Upton, hut only long enough to change engines. 

After a night en the "hard cushions" of the sleepers. Wednesday we passed 
through Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Ravenna. Kent. Old Forge at Akron, and into 
Cleveland at 2 p.m. We were given our liberty as soon as the train was parked, 
and we were soon busy in the barber shops. The next morning the Battalion 
paraded in Cleveland. There was much enthusiasm among the great crowds. 
After the parade a dinner was served to all the men. hut the Akron and Canton 
boys went home at once on the interurhan cars. The train pulled down to Akron 
m the evening and paraded again there on Friday morning. After the parade 
another dinner was served the men in the Armory. That night at 11 p.m.. the 
tram left Akron for Columbus, where a third and the largest parade was held on 
.Saturday morning. After lunch in the Capitol and an afternoon in the city we left 
for ('amp Sherman. 

Early Sunday morning we detrained and were inspected at once by the camp 
doctors. Then we marched to Barracks No. Kll and settled down, hi the after- 
noon we marched to an examining building and passed the final phvsical exam- 
ination. 

There was a -real deal of paper work to do here and a number of the men 
were pressed into service. Wednesday night each man received several papers 
including a letter from General Pershing. 



62 T H E L I A I S O N 

Thursday we got up at 4 a.m.. turned blankets in. ate our last army meal, 
turned in our mess kits, cleaned the billet and marched to the discharge building. 
At 10 a.m. we went through the final turn of the wheel, received our discharge 
and our money. As we came out of the building, cue by one. and said the final 
farewells to the old hunch. Headquarters automatically ceased to exist. Then all 
aboard for home and "Fini Annie" for us all. 



37th Division. 
Division Headquarters arrived in France, June 23rd. 1918. 

Activities : 

P>accarat sector — August 4th to Sept. 16th. 

Meuse-Argonne offensive — Sept. 25th to Oct. 1. 

Pannes i St. Mihiel sector )—( )ct. 7th to Oct. loth. 

I.vs and Escant Rivers ( Flanders) — Oct. 31st to Nov. 4th. 

Belgium. Syngem sector— Nov. 9th to Nov. 11th. 

Prisoners captured : 

26 officers. 1,469 men. 

(inns : 

2') Artillery pieces, 263 machine guns. 

Total advance on front line: 
30 2 3 kilometers. 

28th Division. 

National Guard of Pennsylvania. 
Arrived in France, May 18, 1918. 

Activities : 

Sector southeast of Chateau Thierry (corps reserve) — June 30th to July 31st. 

(Battle operations — July 15th to 18th and July 28th to 30th). 

Vesle Sector— Aug. 7th to Sept. 8th (Almost continual heavy fighting). 

Argonne-Meuse offensive — Sept 20 to Oct. ( >. 

Thiaucourt Sector— Oct. 16 to Nov. 11. 

! 'risoners captured : 

10 officers, 'Ml men. 

Guns : 

16 Artillery pieces, 63 machine guns. 

Total advance on front line : 
10 kilometers. 



THE LIAISON 63 

33kd Division. 

National Guard of Illinois. West Virginia. 
Arrived in France. May 24th, 1918. 

Activities : 

Amiens Sector (with Australians) — July 21 to Aug. 18. 

Verdun Sector. Sept. 9th to Oct. 17th. 

St. Mihiel Sector. Nov. 7th to Nov. 11th. 
Prisoners captured : 

65 officers, 3.'>22 men. 

Guns : 

93 Artillery pieces, 414 machine guns. 

Total advance on front line : 

36 kilometers (made by units of one regiment or less). 

Headquarters 134th Field Artillery, American Expeditionary Forces, France. 

9 January, 1919. 
Military record of the late Captain Harry Howard Hedges, U. S. F. A.: 

Enlisted in Battery B, 1st O. F. A.. November 15, 1915. Discharged April 11. 1917. 
Commissioned 1st Lieutenant, July 11, 1917. On detached service at School of Fire for 
Field Artillery. Fort Sill, Okla., from March 30. 1918, to May 23. 1918. Appointed Captain, 
April 3, 1918. Commanding Headquarters Company, this regiment. Relieved from duty 
with Headquarters Company and appointed Acting Regimental Adjutant, Sept. 15, 1918. 
Taken sick while the regiment was billeted at Laimont, October 3, 1918. Died of pneumonia 
in Evacuation Hospital Xo. 16 at Revigny, France, October 16, 1918. 

N. B. : — Left for overseas with regiment June 2H, 1918. Arrived in Liverpool, England, 
July 10, 1918. 

Regimental Headquarters Company, 134th Field Artillery, American Expeditionary 

Forces, France. 

27 January. 1919. 
Memorandum :■ — 

The following is an extract from Regimental Memorandum of Jan. 27, 1919. 
1. In accordance with verbal instructions from Headquarters 62nd Brigade, the Brigade 
is entitled to wear the 37th Division insignia. The insignia consists of a white felt piece 
of cloth 2' t inches in diameter on which is superimposed concentrically, a red piece of felt 
\y 2 inches in diameter. This insignia is sewn on the left sleeve of the overcoat and blouse, 
Ihe upper part of the white just touching the shoulder .^eam of the garment. 

By Order of Colonel Bush. 
Welton A. Snow. 
( apt. 134th Field Artillery, Adjutant. 

Headquarters 164th F. A. Brigade, American Expeditionary Forces. 

From: Commanding General. 13 November, 1918. 

To : Commanding General, 62nd Brigade. 

Subject : Report of Operations of 134th Field Artillery. 

1. Orders have been received relieving the 134th Field Artillery from duty in this 
sector with the 164th Field Artillery Brigade, and directing its return to its own command. 

2. I feel it only proper to inform you that this regiment, during its service in this 
sector, has occupied its appropriate part of the front: that it has at all times executed its 



64 THE LIAISON 

missions efficient^ and with a display of cheerfulness and promptness that indicates a very 
high morale and state of training. The regiment lias been placed in difficult positions and 
lias always conducted itself in a way to reflect credit on itself, its own brigade and the one 
with which at the time being it was serving. 

3. I shall appreciate it as a favor to me if you will make such record of this letter as 
you may desire, and then cither transmit it or make known its contents to the Regimental 
Commander for such use as he may desire to make of it. 

Signed: Edward T. Donnelly, 

Brigadier General. 

1st End. 
Commanding General, 62nd Field Artillen Brigade, American E. !•'.. 28 December, 1918. 
To Commanding Officer, 134th Field Artillery: 

1. The Commanding General takes great pleasure in transmitting this letter to the 
Commanding Officer, 134th Field Artillery, and desire- at this time to express his appre- 
ciation of the same high morale ami efficiency noted by General Donnelly of the 164th F. A. 
Brigade, which has been characteristic of this regiment throughout the period of my com- 
mand of the 62nd F. A. Brigade. 

Signed : Edw \rd Burr, 
Brigadier General, U. S. A.. Commanding. 

Order For Cessation of Fire 11 a. m., November 11, 1918. 
This is What Ended the World's Series for the 134th 
\t 10:05 a. m. on the 11th of November, 1918, Colonel I'.ush gave the following order 
l.\ telephi 'tic : 

lire at the rate of 50 rounds per gun per hour until 10:59. Be prepared to fire 6 
round- per gun from 10:59 1- 10:59 50. All tire ceases at 10:50:50. 

By Order of Colonel Bush. 

G. II. Q., American Expeditionary Forces, France. 

France, December 19. 1918. 
1 leneral < irders. \ T o. 232. 

It is with a sense of gratitude for it- splendid accomplishment, which will live through 
all history, that I record in General Orders a tribute to the victory of the First Army in 
the Meuse-Argonne battle. 

Te-ted and strengthened b\ the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient, for more than six 
weeks von battered against the pivot of the enemy line on the western front. It was a 
position of imposing natural strength, stretching on both > i < 1 e s of the Meuse river from 
the bitterly contested hill- of Verdun to the almost impenetrabh forest of the \rgonne; a 
position, moreover, fortified b\ four years of labor designed to render it impregnable; a 
position held with the fullest resource- of the enemy. That position you broke utterly, and 
thereb) hastened the collapse of the enmv's military power. 

Soldier- of all the divisions engaged under the First, Third, and Fifth Corps— the 1st, 
2nd. 3rd. 4th. 5th. 7th. 26th, 28th, 20th. 32nd. 33rd. 35th. 37th. 42nd. 77th. 78th, 70th, 80th, 
82nd, 89th, 90th, and 91st— you will be long remembered for the stubborn persistence of 
your progress, your storming of obstinately defended machine gun nests, your penetration, 
yard b\ yard, of woods and ravines, your heroic resistance in the face of counter attacks 
supported bj powerful artillen fire. For more than a month, from the initial attack of 
September 2<>th. you fought your way slowly through the Argonne, through the woods and 
over hill- we-t of the Men--; you slowh enlarged your hold on the Cote- de Meuse to the 
east: and then, on the first of November, your attack forced the enemy into flight. 
Pressing hi- retreat, you cleared the entire left hank of the Meuse south of Sedan, and 
then Stormed the heights on the right hank and drove him into the plain beyond. 



THE LIAISON 



65 



Your achivement, which is scared) to be equalled in American history must remain 

source ol proud satisiaction to the troops who participated in the last campaign oj tne 

war. The American people will remember it as a realization of the hitherto potential 

strength of the American contribution toward the cause to which they had sworn allegiance. 

There can be no greater reward tor a soldier or tor a soldier's memory. 

John J. Pershing, 
General, Commander in Chief American Expeditionary forces. 
i ifficial : Robert C. Davis, Adjutant General. 



Ln Memoriam 

A? we think of all the service flags 

d hat My o'er our broad States 
For the men who counted well the cost 

Then dared to brave the- Fates; 
The golden stars we know of 

Mingle sorrow with our pride, 
And we pause in thots of victor) 

To think ui those who died. 

There are some who died of sicklies.--. 

'I here are some in battle slain. 
Let us see their noble sacrifice 

Tor us was not in vain. 
Let's make this old world better 

And a finer place to live, 
Thus honoring our comrades who 

Gave all they had to give. 

D. V 



[] 

If you can hold your head up while the others 

Are drooping theirs from marches and fatigue: 
If you can drill in dust that clouds and smothers, 

And still be fit to hike another league; 
If you can stand the greasy food and dishes, 

'1 he long black nights, the lonesome road, the blues: 
It you can choke hack the gloomy wishes 

For home that seem to spring right from your shoes; 
If you can laugh at sick call and the pill boys, 

When all the other lads are checking in: 
If you can kid and jolly all the killjoys. 

Whose faces long ago forgot to grin; 
I i at parade you stand fast at attention. 

When ever) muscle shrieks aloud with pain: 
If you can grin and snicker at the mention 

Of some bonehead pla) connected with your name: 
It you succeed to keep your knees from knocking. 

At thots of all the bullets you may stop; 
If you can do these things and like them. 

You'll he a reg'lar 51 >ldiei yet < Tl t< >p. 

D. If. W 



t .( i THE LIAISON 

Little Wooden Crosses 

The little wooden crosses 

Upon a rocky hill, 
rhere where the Autumn leaves drift down, 

And all is strangely still, 
The old, old church that broods o'er them, 

Has seen no fairer sight 
In all the years, than these who gave 

Their youth and life and light, 
To sleep beneath the wooden cross; 

Vet sweet their rest must be, 
Who made themselves a sacrifice 

That all men might lie tree. 

The pain shall he to those who wait 

'Cross ocean mist and foam, 
Who'll miss their face among the ranks 

When soldier hoys come home. 
I hit this shall he their recompense. 

To lift the cross they hear; 
These were the gift a Nation gave, 

An offering and a prayer. 
And long as mortal tongues shall live, 

Until the world grows old. 
New beauty and new glory 

Their memory shall enfold. 

Nell Grayson Taylor, U. S. A. N. C. 

Eric 
. / la Homer 
We've done our right front into line, 
We've done squads east and west, 
And then we've hoofed it double time 
In column four abreast. 

With buzzer and with telephone 

We've shot our orders thru, 
In wig-wag and in semaphore 
We're quite proficient, ton. 

With pick and shovel we excell, 

We're excavation fools. — 
We're Jack-of-all-trade... one and all. 

We know construction rules. 

We've gone thru all the agony 

And pain of monkey drill ; 
If we hadn't crossed the ocean 

We'd all be at it still. 

The Colonel called us Gold-Bricks, 

Said that time was precious, rare; 
The study of horology 

We studied then with care. 



THE LIAISON 7 

We worked out all the problems 

Involved in modern war; 
When we had them all completed, 

Colonel Bush would look tor more. 

We perfected tiring data, 

Site, deflection, range, and all, 
Road maps, panoramic sketches, — 

We were ready for the call. 

Then that awful watchful waiting 

While in our imagination 
We killed more war-mad Prussians 

! han were in the German nation. 

The golden hour at last arrived. 

We left the sunny South ; 
We were going to gel the Kaiser, 

I here were cheers from every mouth. 

We crossed the mighty ocean, 

Almost died upon the way, 
It was useless food to swallow, 

For it simply wouldn't stay. 

Then we started in to travel, 

Covered almost all of France, 
Guess we couldn't find the Germans, 

But at last we got our chance. 

They packed us in French box-cars — 

Forty "Homines'' or eight "Chevaux" — 
Then auto trucks, and then shanks-mare — 

Colonel Bush's Travelling show. 

We reached the front in dead of night, 

And camouflaged our guns; 
We were anxious, wanted action. 

And a chance to get the Nuns. 

What we did to dear old lleinie 

Would be terrible to tell 
So, to make the next line rhyme, I'll 

Just say, "We gave them Hell." 

Oh, we know that Cod was with us, 

lleinie couldn't find our station. 
Even Satan must have cheered us, 

We increased Hell's population. 

But. as all things have an ending, 

"C'est la pai.x, le guerre finis"; 
We've renewed our watchful waiting. 

Wondering what our destiny. 

Corp. Garrison L. Beachy. 




HoTCL. AT L.E. Liom b ANaEGis 



Mess Line, at jLe Z/o/v a'A^ae/a 




MECHANICS 




do ok- 




Hq.Co. 3- 



m 

SldE.- DOOR F'ut.L. MAN 



SECTION III 



This and That 



ROOKIE DAYS 

THE BATTLE OF SILVER LAKE. 

The early days of Regimental Headquarters Company, 134th Field Artillery, 
are a part of Border lore and do not come into this brief recital which is concerned 
with its full blossoming in the rich and fertile experiences at Silver Lake. Its 
organization, recruiting and initial awkward gyrations back and forth across the 
hot spaces of Buchtel Field are wholly matters of other record. But we have cut 
out for ourselves the rather delicate job of penning the incidents of that somewhat 
hazy event recalled fondly by us as the "Battle of Silver Lake"; done not from 
the motive of self-praise and egotistic historical preservation — though we'll not 
deny that our feats in that bloodless and breathless campaign are worthily lauda- 
tory — but done purely from a desire to prevent that important page of history 
being torn out and relegated to the waste basket of hopeless forget fulness by a 
stupid and unimpressionistic reading public. And the "Battle of Silver Lake," 
be it only the widow's mite, must take its place alongside those later glorious 
events that put democracy over once and for all and kaiserism in eternal limbo. 
This recognition is bound to come (pardon the "rlour-v" license) "eventually, so 
why not now." 

Could a man of military instincts and training have seen the rabble that 
alighted from the N. O. T. & L. at the gates of Silver Lake Park one fair morn- 
ing in late July, he would indeed have shuddered with grave misgivings for the 
future of democracy's young army. Clothing of every cut and color with a gaj 
sprinkling of straw top-gear gave this unit of I ncle Sam's future victorious 
army a decidedly picnic appearance, rather than an imposing military mien. In- 
stead of the snappy, clean-cut movements of the army man they lounged about 
with the lazy grace and languid ease of young man habitually addicted to a life 
of unruffled leisure. Any stranger would have noted the assemblage merely as 
a party of mid-week picnickers bent on a care-free frolic in the park. For how 
was any one to know that they carried on those careless shoulders the burdens 
and high resolves and indomitable will of a nation at war? But this is just the 
beginning and later days are to see a transformation that even mothers will look 
upon with amazement. 



72 THE LIAISON 

It was in late lulv when we went into camp at Silver Lake to begin our train- 
ing in preparation for the gruelling work that awaited us overseas — a work that 
could be faced only with the strongest sinews and highest will. < >ur morale was 
of the very highest. Everywhere eagerness, willingness and determination were 
the dominant factors of the spirit with which the companj entered into its work. 
The men seemed intuitively to realize that their duty la) along the path that would 
lead to nearest perfection, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Each one knew 
that success against the Nun. the mostly highly trained soldier in the world, was 
in direct proportion to his training, and acted accordingly. 

But this must not develop into a treatise on military ethics. So we'll leave 
it to the author of "The Psychology of a Soldier" to delve into the inner recesses 
and turn the soul of the recruit inside out. while we adhere to his outer and every- 
day manifestations. 

Of course this chronicle would he sadly incomplete (which will he the case 
anyway) without a full and tactical description of the battleground, or camp. 
\nd naturally, in the soldier's eye (which sans doute is set in his stomach) the 
most important topographical feature on the terrain is the mess shack. When we 
arrived upon the battleground our to-be kitchen was discovered to he a little ten- 
by-twelve, unimposing shack, anything hut inviting, and oh! far removed from 
appetizing. We arrived in the morning, and after the usual reconnaissance work 
over the ground, steps were taken to get dinner under way for the hungry gang. 
Cooks and K. l'.'s were selected from the company with due and discriminating 
regard for their long and valuable experience in the delicate and exacting art of 
culinary concoction (and he it said, apropos of nothing, that they actually could 
boil water without scorching it). But in the process of preparation we were sud- 
denly plunged into an awful dilemma. Because of a grave blunder on the part of 
our Ordnance Department we had not been provided with kitchen equipment. 
This knowledge leaked out to the men and with it the persistent rumor that there 
would he no chow that daw Now, any one who has hiked twenty-four hours on 
hardtack and monkeymeat knows that hunger and sweet disposition rarely enjoy 
mutual association, and insistent mutterings of an unorthodox nature accom- 
panied by black looks indicated that mutiny was inevitable were not the grum- 
blings of disgruntled stomachs immediately quieted. 

lint in the face of dire necessity for immediate' action, the ingenious brain 
of one of our cooks found a way out of the muddle. In the rubbish heap near the 
lake he found an old pot, a battered tin pan and the most important parts of an 
old stove. With the hell) of a few willing, hungry ones, he soon had the stove 
snugly located in one corner of the shack and a fire blazing merrily in it. Then 
with a half-ward of an old discarded shirt and three pints of cold water, sails 
Savon, he scoured out the pot and pan and cleared the cuisine for action. A few- 
minutes later our nostrils, doubly sensitized now bv gnawing hunger, detected the 
very savory odor of boiling beef and the day was saved. Mow little dors the 
world recognize in the modest and unobtrusive army cook a hero of the first 
order on whom some of war's greatest events hinge their turning! Truly "full 
manv a gem of purest ray serene." etc.. hut you can complete the ([notation for 



THE LIAISON 

yourself, as there is neither time nor space for it here. Besides it is an unpardon- 
able sin in the ethics of the Bucks to praise or pity any army conk or K. I'. 

Now that first meal was a "hum-dinger" and enough to make any one who 
enjoys life from a gastronomic point of view, "go over the knob" once and for all. 
( >ur menu was vastly varied — boiled beef in large and generous hunks without 
condiments and — water. But we had plenty, enough to remove the wrinkle- from 
our abdominal integument and the gall from our dispositions. As we passed by 
the serving window with our cape-pan, tin cup and spoon the K. I 1 , generously 
filled them to overflowing. We were given several hunks of that India rubber 
beef, and one was enough to keep your molars busy for several hours. Bread 
was just a little scarce, hut as for water — well, we had all we wanted. But it must 
not lie inferred that chow was always thus. Before the battle had gotten well 
under way we were feasting as royally as kings and, perhaps more so than many. 
Eggs, with which we have been so little associated since our departure for for- 
eign soil, were as plentiful as cooties in the front-line trenches. Cinder the wise 
management of Acting Mess Sergeant McCaskey, our ration list ranged all the 
way from the most delectable cereals and choice fruits to the juicy cuts of every 
nameable meat. < )f course, it made not a particle of difference to us that his 
extravagant buying on! us in an awful hcie and we had to nearly starve for 
months afterwr.ros to square up. We iived then at least. We usually had the 
privilege of preparing our own breakfast will; unrestrained access to cereals, 
fruits, ham and eggs in unlimited quantities. Not only were we liberally fed at 
mess time hut we had the rare privilege of procuring a lunch in off hours. Even 
in those hours of night time, dedicated to the memories of chafing-dish days, we 
could return from revel in town and always rind the latch-string of the old me>s- 
shack on the outside. And the feeds concocted at those times would easily put to 
shame the outlay of an ordinary restaurant. 

But though the subject of eating is ever alluring to a healthy and capacious 
digestion, we cannot occupy all the space allotted to this chronicle in discussing its 
pleasing adjuncts. 

Of course, sleep is as essential to well-being as is the material gratification 
of the inner man, and it was imperative for us to find places to lay our weary 
heads after the day's tedious toil. Now our quarters at Silver Lake were of a 
type splendidly unique, and extremely novel in their radical deviation from the 
established order of army cam]) construction. Through the hospitality of a 
Doughboy outfit encamped at the lake we were supplied with two old "squad" 
tents, I. t\ 1>. so long that the marks of their condemnation were all hut 
obliterated by the ravages of time. They were tattered and torn and Haunted 
proudly the frayed streamers of many a hard-fought campaign with the remorse- 
less forces of time and temperature. Many a laughable rent from apex to base 
admitted an abundance of fresh air and its liquid concomitant in periods of low 
barometer. It was very possible to enjoy the luxury of one of nature's shower 
baths while peacefully asleep, and many a night were we routed out of our bunks 
to stand and shiver and cuss until the deluge ended. 



74 THE LIAISON 

As stated above these old relics of a prehistoric epoch were "squad" tents, 
but in this case their name extravagantly belied their usage, for enough men were 
quartered within them to form several squads. At least a third of the company 
sought them for their nocturnal rest. To accommodate the remaining men a 
few "pup" tents were "policed up" from some unknown source and set up in 
artistic alignment to form a company street. Each of these is ordinarily sup- 
posed to quarter two men, hut necessity here increased the number to three and 
in some cases four. These were staked out along a slight slope and in the 
absence of ditches rains always gave them a pleasant and comfortable interior. 
So in one way or another all the men found at least the semblance of a shelter 
and. however, comfortless and dreary it was. always the irrepressible spirit of 
youth touched it with the cheer and gaiety of the pure joy of high vitality. 
And in these quarters they cheerfully and spiritedly set about the work of 
preparation to tit them for the sterner life that called to the spirit of the indom- 
itable youth from far across the seas. 

Now, of course, our chief purpose at Silver Lake was work, drill and train- 
ing, and all other activities were incidental and subordinate. So no time was 
lost in getting to the actual business in hand. The company was organized as 
nearlv as possible along proper lines and acting X. C. O.'s were appointed to 
carry on the work of organization and training. As far as possible men were 
selected with previous military experience, but in the light of present retrospec- 
tion it is difficult to keep from thinking that a few mistakes were made. Russell 
Bowman was made acting '"top soak*', "chief kick'* or whatever you wish to use 
for the official designation of acting first sergeant. Xow it would be a travesty 
on the usage of refined English to endeavor to narrate his actions and procedure 
in this official capacity. But ask the boys. Then acting Corporals were selected 
to take under their sheltering and instructive wings the awkward and rather 
timid rookies of their respective s<|uads. And in the deepest and most exacting 
sense of the word, we were rookies. Why, we were so green in matters of 
military technique that we had not the slightest idea of what constituted the duties 
of a non-com. About all we knew was that soldiers were supposed to right, but 
as to the specific hows we were all at sea. So profound was our ignorance of 
military courtesy and customs that a Captain's bars meant no more to us than a 
Corporal's chevrons. Thus you can realize the gigantic job on the hands of 
those burdened with the making of an army capable enough to meet and defeat the 
greatest military machine the world has ever known. You can also realize how 
little concerned our country was in pre-war days with affairs military and how 
absolutely anti-militaristic she was. 

With the temporary organization completed we started with illimitable "pep 
upon the gruelling process of "squads right and wrong.*" Day after day in the 
boiling August sun we marched, turned, pivoted and double-timed with unquench- 
able diligence and determination back and forth across the fields bordering on 
Silver Lake. We learned to keep step in simple column formations, growing 
daily toward the perfection that comes with practice, and gaining always that 
ease and confidence so essential to accomplishment in any work. We were eager 
to learn. We wanted to be good soldiers, to uphold the traditions ot the army 



THE LIAISON 75 

in soldierly qualities and actions. Neat, snappy appearance, alertness and en- 
durance soon became matters of deep personal pride with each and every one. 
For purposes and physical development the daily routine of formal drill was 
spiced with long hikes into the surrounding country. These developed muscle 
and lung power and hardened the bodies to high degree- of physical endurance. 
And every veteran of Silver Fake will tell you these hikes proved vastly worth 
while when later he wore out many a pair of hob-nails along the hard white 
roads of France. 

Then there was the fatigue work— K. P.'s, wood detail, etc. This of course. 
i> a part of a soldier's life he would like well to forget. He can hardly conceive 
a war hero encrusted in the grease of a soup kitchen. Lint it had to be done and 
he played that part of his army career just as gamely as his part with the gun. 
But this physical drill was only a part of the training designed to make of 
the rookie a full-fledged fighting man of martial mien and soldierly instincts. 
We soon came to know that all righting is not done with the hands: in fact, that 
the greater part is done with the head. This requires a very high mental nam- 
ing in tactics. We must learn to think rapidly and calmly in trying situations, 
to act quickly, to exercise cool judgment and personal initiative. Then we must 
develop to a high degree of efficiency the means of tactical manouvering. So 
daily we spent much time on visual communication and courier work. This was 
the greater part of our daily routine and drill, and it was carried on with a dili- 
gent persistence that meant much for its success. 

I '-'it there is a side to our life at Silver Fake that was the real experience— 
the big comprehensive experience of fraternal association that will leave forever 
tlie indelible imprints on the souls of those who made it a part of them. It is 
that part of our life there that found its time in our off hours, the evenings of 
rest and mutual commingling in the quiet dusk. As time went on these confi- 
dences grew deeper and more intimate and men from widely varied walks of life 
met in a spirit of unreserve that opened up rich fields of experience. And soon 
we knew each other, the hopes and aspirations, the big ambitions, even down to 
the petty foibles that stamp infallibly the personality of individual character. 

Then. too. we were not lacking in pleasure of a recreative sort. The lake 
was handy and bathing is ever a popular sport, especially when the beach is re- 
splendent with the gay aquatic costumes of the fair sex. Silver Fake always 
had present its share of Akron beauties of the mermaid type. In the early even- 
ing most of the fellows after a hot, dusty day of sweaty grill found resistless 
aliurement in the cool waters and the refreshing association of its fair denizens. 
So swimming became an incurable epidemic among the fellows. 

Among sports not listed, -craps" undoubtedly held first place. Not a day 
passed but the familiar language of the "bones- could be heard somewhere about 
the camp. It is a great army game and there is none that so excites and holds in 
its spell as this one does. ( >ur greatest advocate of the game at the Fake was 
the -West Virginia Jew", and none of us will soon forget "Becky and his bones." 



76 THE LIAISON 

1 1 he was busted he would conic out waving a pair of pants or some other article 
of clothing and call out, "Shoot two bits." 

In this way, engrossed in these varied activities, we spent more than two 
months in camp at the Lake, the first two months of our life in the army. We 
acquired knowledge of value, and training that meant much to us in later days. 
With the end of September Silver Lake passed into the immortal annals of the 
past, a finished epoch, a phase ot achievement forever ended and gone, but an 
immutable and endearing memory to us all. 



The X. G. 

Didn't know much, lmt knew something; 

Learned while the other men played; 
Didn't delay for commissions, 

Went while the other men stayed; 
Took mi degrees up at Plattsburg, 

Xeeded too soon for the game; 
Ready at hand to lie asked for, 

Orders said "Come !" and they came. 
Didn't get bars on their shoulders, 

Or three months to see if they could; 
Didn't get classed with the Reg'lars, 

Or told they were equally good, — 
Just got a job and got busy, 

Awkward they were lmt intent, 
Filing no claim for exemption, 

Orders said "Go," and they went. 
Didn't get farewell processions. 

Didn't get newspaper praise, 
Didn't escape the injunction 

To mend, in extenso, their ways. 
Work-bench and counter and roll-top, 

I )ug in. and minding their chance, 
Orders said "First line of trenches"— 

They're holding them — somewhere in France. 

R. I-". Andrew 



Bugli Calls. 
Reveille. 

I can't get 'em up. I can't get 'em up. 
1 can't get em up this morning, 
I can't yet 'em up. I can't yet 'em up. 
1 can't get \ m up at all. 
Corp'rals worse than privates, 
Sergeants worse than Corp'rals, 
Loot'nants worse than Sergeants, 
And the Captain's worst of all. 

( 'horns : 1 can't yet 'em Up, etc. 



THE LIAISON 



/ / 



Mess Call. 

Soup'y, soup'y, soup'y, 

Without a single bean. 

Pork-) r , pork-y, pork-y, 

W'itln lUt a streak of lean 

Coffee, coffee, coffee. 

Without a bit o' cream. 



March. 

Yi m're in the army now : 
You're not behind the plo 
You dig in the ditch, 
Yi >n "11 never yet rich ; 
You're in the armv new. 



Par Day. 

Pay day ! Pay day ! 

Come and get your fifty cents a day. 

Pay day ! Pay day ! 

Come and yet your pa\ . 

What you goin' to do with the drunken soldiers? 

Put 'em in the guard house 'till they're sober. 

Pay day ! Pay day ! 

Come and get your pay. 

Stable Call. 

Come all who are able and go to the stable. 

And water your horses and give 'em some corn: 

For if you don't do it the Colonel will know it 
And then you will rue it. sure as you're born. 

So come, who are able and go to the stable. 

And water \ our horses and eive 'em some corn. 



Sick Call. 

Come and get your quinine, 
( !i ime and get your pills. 
Oh! come and get your quinine. 
Come and gel \ i air pills. 



Taps. 

good night. 
Fare thee well. 
Go to sleep 
Till the daw: 
Breaks the night, 
Until nn irn cl i \\ 
Li >\ e, gi m id nis;ht. 



TRAINING CAMP 

\kmy Side Lines. 

Scarcely bad we taken the oath before some were throwing a baseball and 
others kicking and passing the popular pig-skin. We plaved several baseball 
games with the Infantry Companies at Silver Lake. Brown, Peters, Eck, Frye. 
and Roos performed on the mound. Saddler Long and Bill Shiel demonstr; 
what "years" can do in the great American game. Miller's "Wildcat-" were 
challenged to a friendly game with Beckies' "Tigers," and aider nine exciting 
innings the score stood Tigers 2, Wildcat- 2: so Most and Rex shook 1. 
agreeing that it was S< > A 1 1 • game. 

W e started for Alabama the last of September and had no more than steppe '. 
nil the train when a group of football aspirants could be seen practicing out back 



78 T H E L I A I S O N 

of the stables. Several I [eadquarters men were selected as instructors in athletics 
in the regiment. "Red" Trimmer and Limning in boxing; Beachy and Mc- 
Caskey in wrestling; .Mover, Watson and dinger in running. Nearly every 
morning we hiked over to the Regimental field to "extend arms" under Lien- 
tenant Pettigrew. < >ld Sol smiled down on ns. but we couldn't see it that way. 
Occasionally Lieutenant Pettigrew had other business and Corporal (later Ser- 
jeant) Points put ns through an hours' work in the art of "Pick up hats. Pick," 
until we fell lost if our stable Sergeant failed to appear for the morning's enter- 
tainment. Beachy .and Lunning entertained at "Y 59" in a fast three-round bout. 
Tiny Wise was scheduled to meet an opponent in the roped arena but Tiny found 
the space within the rope uninhabited save by himself. 

Headquarters placed second in the Liberty Loan Athletic Meet at Lamp 
Sheridan; Mover. Watson and Olinger placing for Headquarters; Brenfleck 
from C. Battery and later with ns took' the two-mile run. Watson opened the 
Colonel's eves when he won the 50-yard obstacle race. Mover had no trouble 
in the 100-yard dash. 

The last of ( >ctober saw a motley crew assembled to elect a captain and 
manager of our football team. Ed. Long was the unanimous choice for captain 
and Mover received every vote except his own, for coach and manager. We 
played Battery B the next week and lost a hard fought game — 6 to 0. Lattery 
A won a lucky game by one point on the following week, score 7 to 6. I wo 
weeks later the Supply Train ran over three touchdowns in the first half, but the 
second half we came to life and after three minutes play we crossed their goal. 
We ontplaved them the rest of the game, the final score being 1 ( > to <». Lieutenant 
1 [ollenback took hold of us the next day and after a week's rolling and tumbling we 
were in tine shape to take on the Engineers, who appeared to he our best oppo- 
nents thus far. but we trampled over them to the extent of 28 to 0. ddie Engineers 
failed to understand but it was a plain case of good team work. 

Two weeks later we took on the Supply Train again. The game played on 
a rough field with a strong wind. W'e played them to a standstill. Each team 
put over a touchdown and each one failed to add the extra point. We will never 
forget the Saddler's stand on the one-yard line. The team line-up during the 
season consisted of: Ends, liable, Senn and Flynn; tackles, Moore, Olinger Points 
and Sutton; guards. Frankenstein, Bash, Miller and Fisher; centers. Long and 
Woolf e ; halfbacks, Beachy, Abbott, [iutchinson and Bullock; quarters, Mover 
and Lash; fullback, Jack Jones. 

After the- Company football season had ended, the Regimental teams began 
to combat for the Division championship. We supplied four men in liable. 
Mover, ((linger and Jones. Jackson, later with Headquarters, played quarter. 
The Regimental team defeated the 135th. 6 to 0. and trampled over the Supply 
team 13 to 0. We failed to win the deciding game when the strong Ammunition 
train won a hotly disputed contest 1-1 to 7. With third down and goal to gain 
we failed to travel the remaining two yards to the goal line and lost our chance 
for a tie and possible victory. 

The weather in Alabama was such as to encourage outdoor sports the year 
round and baseball began when football left off. Several inter-batterv games 



THE LIAISON 81 

were staged on the Regimental diamond. Doc. Roos and Jones formed the 
Battery mates: Red Abbott, Walker, Moore and Woolfe formed the infield; 
Trimmer, Beckenstein, Miller and Weltner comprised the outfield. The mosl 
interesting game of the year took place when the "non-coms"' tangled with the 
"bucks"; Trimmer, Long and Jones formed the "bucks" battery. Roos and 
Mover were battery mates for the "non-coms"'. Shiel even brought applause 
from the "bucks" when he speared Trimmer's terrific liner with one hand. 
Cogar, fresh from the West Virginia League and with a tempting offer from the 
twenty-mule team of the Borax League, played an unusual game in center field. 
Cogar played hard and had it not been for the wind he would have caught a 
beautiful pop fly. Tie laid off for three days to nurse sore shoulders, due to his 
vicious swings in an attempt to connect with the little round pill. 

At the same time a Regimental team was being picked and Headquarters 
placed three men on the team in Trimmer, Long and Abbott. Red Trimmer 
proved to be the team's best bet on the slab and led the league with a grand 
average of 833, having won five and lost only one. Hop Long formed a part of 
one of the best infields in the Division and topped the league with a batting aver- 
age of .485. Red Abbott subbed only because of an excellent infield and had 
first call in case of an injury to any of its members. 

( )ur ten days at Camp Upton were not without incidents. The Corporals 
challenged the Sergeants to an indoor baseball game outdoors and the Corporals 
won 10 to ( >. Immediately the Sergeants asked for a return game and again 
the Corporals won by one point. Points tried hard but failed to urge his clan 
enough to put over the necessary runs. But the head that wears the crown knows 
no rest and the "bucks" tried to take the crown but again the Corporals won 1 1 
to 10. Also Beachy and Lunning entertained at the "Y" with a four-round bout. 

After landing in France we had a few days before starting our training at 
Camp Souge. The 2nd Battalion detachment secured a baseball game with F 
Battery at Canejan. ('sing their hats for gloves and fence rails for bats they 
demonstrated the Great American game to a large audience of Frogs. After 
entering on our training we did not have time for any games. 

The armistice having been signed, several inter-battery football games were 
played on the muddy flats between Recourt and Rambluzin. We tied with D 
battery for the championship of the Regiment. We played two scoreless ties 
with D battery. F battery was lucky enough to get away with a scoreless tie. 
Not once was the ball in our territory. The field was so slippery that gains were 
difficult. We ran over A battery on a better field to the tune of IS to 0. Our 
team-work was fine and A battery failed to make a first down until the last 
quarter when Headquarters eased up. 

Alter the games were over the players looked like human mud piles, as the 
field was muddy and no uniforms were available. Flaying without headgears, 
shoulder pads and cleated shoes we came through without a single mishap, which 
speaks well for the condition of the fellows. 



82 T H E L I A I S O N 

The Company team line-up consisted of: Ends, Hable, Senn and Point-: 
tackles. Moore (captain), dinger and Sharp; guards, Frankenstein, Spike Wise. 
Sutton, Hash and Fisher; centers. Frederick and Bullock; quarters, Lash and 
Tackson; halfbacks, Beachy, Abbott, Hutchinson and Brenfleck; fullback, Jones. 

This was the last competing team the Company had. Athletics will always 
be one of the best memories of our Army experience. 

Echoes From Sheridan Streets 

Saw-Mill: "Well, now don't kick about this feed. When we were down on the border 
all we had was a hunk of punk and a can of tomatoes.*' 
Greaseball Jones: "Eat it. We can't." 

"It's a great army, there's no getting out of it." 

"Gimme, have you got, let me take, will you?" 

"Good God, he missed him!" 

"That's a nice cigar yon are smoking. Have you another one?" 

"Ride him, cowboy." 

Bullock: "I'll ride that fellow, if they give me a club." 

Zig: "What it takes to do that. I'm all breakin' out with." 

Officer (seeing horse kicked in stomach): "Hey! Don't do that." 

Bullock: "Well, he kicked me." 

Sheridan stables, young "E. J." jerking horse. Top. "I'll give yon some extra duty 
for that." Brownie: "You'll shout. I know the rides of the army." 
Acting "Toil" BeVier (blowing whistle): "Everybody inside out." 

Becky: "Hello. C-c-corky." 

Eddie, the Saddler: "1 feel a song coming on." "Don't fight, boys. 'Taint nice. 
"If I've done anything I'm sorry for. I'm certainly glad ol it." 

Schellin remembers how the Corporal used to slide into the office sideways and 
whisper; "Got anything easy for me to do today?" Oh! You monkeydrill! 

"1 don't mind them tail, but look at that feet." "On the It-ta-lay-yan Front." "1 
knows what 1 knows." 

Peanuts — twenty-two sacks. It was a "Wild night" in "N-3." 

( >h, the officers live on the top of the hill. 
We live down in the dirt ami the swill — 

They gave me a horse and said I could ride. 

I didn't see the shovel on the other side 

\ Sam Brown belt would look nice on me. 
Bui I'd rather he back in the U. S. A. — 

I don't want any more army; 

Lordv, how I want to go home. 



THE LIAISON 83 



ON THE WAY 

"Across" the ( )cean. 

Since ancient Phoenecia sailed her ships through the Gate of Hercules the 
illumined pages of history record here and there, maritime voyages of great con- 
sequence to subsequent civilization. Some naturally occupy more illustrious 
pages than others ; and some for reason beyond comprehension have been denied a 
place in the worthy volume of great events. Of the latter there is one of little 
note to the world, but eternally grooved into the memories of those who made it. 
When the "Great War" is a mere memory a certain name, whose very enunciation 
is nauseating, will stand out like a mountain in the "apres le guerre" reminiscences 
of the 134th Field Artillery. So in this narration our efforts will be bent towards 
the recording of a few incidents inseparably linked to this name. 

In the gray light of early dawn, on June 27, 1918, the one common and lung 
harbored desire of our company gave birth to happy realization. On that morn- 
ing, just as the coming sun was touching the gray shadows with its rich tints of 
crimson, we '"silently folded our tents" and stole out of the confines of lamp 
Upton. Boarding a train we were rapidly whirled to a Brooklyn pier on Mast 
h'iver. There we boarded a ferry boat dropped down the bay and tied into a 
wharf at the I lush Terminal. Here while the T. O. checked and tabulated us 
the Red Cross passed around smiles in the form of hot coffee, sandwiches and 
cigarettes: after which we trod the gangplank to the decks of "His Majesty's 
Ship," the "Nestor." Following the usual routine of assigning the various organ- 
izations to their respective decks, we settled down in spots peacefully bathed in 
the soft glow of the fast westering sun. to dream of the morrow. 

As we sat there in the gathering dusk, looking up the bay, watching the great 
metropolis above us assume the glory of its nocturnal brilliance, we thrilled to 
a feeling wonderfully rich and new. ( hit in the mists of evening, shot through 
and through with the colorful splendor of dying day. the "Goddess of Liberty,'' 
eternal guardian at the gateway of Freedom, was dimly visible. And around her 
the long slanting rays, like roadside arrows, pointed out across the quiet waters. 
our way to the "Great Adventure." A peculiar hush was over the boys, and all 
seemed silent in the fascination of this newer vision of the Cause that had called 
them. The -ettings on this quiet night were peculiarly fitting to this phase of 
the great drama into which we had been plunged, and long we pondered coming- 
possibilities, till weariness overcame and we went below. 

The Nestor, originally an Australian freighter, was a three-decker with a 
Spacious hold. This space had been decked into apartments and was used for 
eating and sleeping quarters for soldiers "en voyage." Due to militarv necessitv 
it was greatly congested. We slept in hammocks swung from supporting beams 
and sandwiched in in saw-tooth fashion. They were so close that every move- 
ment of a hobnail invariably registered upon the face of the adjoining sleeper. 
and any rolling of the ship resulted in a bumping game anything but restful. 
Getting into one of these sea-going berths was a feat requiring rare acrobatic 
skill. It was necessary to climb upon the table, reach up and grasp firmly the 



84 THE LIAISON 

lattice work overhead, then gaining momentum by much swinging, execute an 
aerial "flip-flop," which, if lucky, would carry yon into your nest. The chief 
object of the performance was to cause the man on either side of you as much 
discomfort as possible, and seldom the effort resulted in failure. Not soon to be 
forgotten is the nightlv chorus of polite curses from the "gang," when some upper- 
deck owl would stumble in and hump his way beneath the swinging hammocks 
to the far side. With careful and studied progress the "owl" was usually able 
to bump his head viciously into the curved backs of the sleepers. 

Beneath these suspended hunks were long, narrow tables tastefully deco- 
rated with a few tin pans, a teapot, bucket and wash tub. Here we three times 
a day partook of the delicacies of transport culinary art. Now in the Army the 
most interesting subject that can engage the mind of any soldier is that ot "chow.' 
The surest way in the world to gain or lose forever the friendship of a soldier is 
through his gastronomic proclivities. Please his insatiable appetite and you mak« 
an everlasting friend; starve him and you make an enduring enemy. Without 
doubt the most hated person in the army, with the possible exception of the duty- 
struck X. C. ()., is the "belly-robber," or K. P. who with malice aforethought 
passes your mess-kit by with a slim issue. 

Tlv feeding on the Nestor was the finest piece of studied I mis ) management 
that I've ever seen. Each table was issued an allowance card and oik man 
a] pointed to draw the rations from the galley. ( >f course he drew the daily 
allowance of sugar and condiments in the morning and they disappeared at the 
first meal. Before experience gave him a stable pair of "sea legs" he occasionally 
discarded the tempting stew on his way down the companionway, and we existed 
on salt air and imagination until the next meal. The menu reminded me ot a 
small town show. "Change of program every week." For fourteen breakfasts we 
had coffee tin' required carbolic acid for a suitable chaser; oatmeal with the 
formula ('Om)jH ill ())-,,. on which the entire daily issue of sugar was used: 
and orange peel marmalade that had green persimmons hacked off the map for 
acrid bitterness. At noon mutton, boiled spuds (in full dress), stewed rice 
i sugarless), rare < eas and steel jacketed beans, "hive o'clock 'lea" was hterally 
tea, and tea without sugar at that. ( M course once in a while we had an "extra 
of which we'll speak later. 

It was 8:30, on the morning of June 28, 1918, when the Nestor lifted anchor, 
steamed down the Bay, out through the narrows and set her course toward the 
rising sun. As many as could crowded to the ship's stern to watch the shoreline ot 
the dearest land in the world fade from sight. The old, old story, as old as life is 
-Id ; the full realization of just how dear a lifelong possession is never comes to us 
until we see it slipping away from us — perhaps forever. Nothing had ever 
occmred in our quiet lives, to bring to us a full appreciation of the immeasurable 
sweetness of that little word, HOME. Yet at this moment, as we silently 
watched the green shores slowly fade and merge into tlv blue depths of the sea. 
the spirit of true American patriotism warmed our souls as never before, with 
the reverential glow. So or, we went: past the nets that guarded the mouth oi 
the harbor, past the final headlands and out into oceanic waters. Tin- prow 
swim." to the northwest and sel out with a full head of steam, ready to face the 



THE LIAISON g 5 

worst ( )U Atlantic could give in the way of storms or hidden submarine. The 
weather was fine-clear sunshine and a moderate breeze with the keen sah tang 
"i the sea— and for a time all was well. 

< >n the morning of the second day out we came on deck to h„d our boat one 
o a sp.end.d convoy of thirteen ships, all nosing their way through th Wue 
green waters w.th a majesty befitting the importance of the role they were 
,'":;, ''''"'.'" '""" Wake "" the ™«y horizon could he seen the steel turret 01 a 
battle ^causer, ever watchful for any danger meuaciug the sixty thou and I e 

t0 t he ;-, Care; ,! n<l "' ° Ur P ° rl a »-' Aboard and dead ahead slim o^c , I 

the ever increasing swells, the rythmic rise and fall of the ho*. 1 
pronounced, and each time she i,l,",„.r ( . - u ■ h ° tlt beCame more 

nut -,- - • , Phmged her prow into a mounting wave she :ame 

V T naVe Jeet] a ' ,hv » 1 aesth ^cs worthy of the mos exacting e c f 
cntjcal appreciation, hut as usual the flesh -m',1 ;, , exartln § > ense cf 

baffle art. lts weakn esses intervened to 

^viupcoms ot this ocean jinks are peculiar w m-r 

° £ «»»*■ "-'- - P and take form in th" tor™,nd ''' "'"""" "^ 

a ddur'time indent fir: ,° 1" '" " ^ ** "™ w ' "»" been 

'"-I were h„s ,,,a I, i Mrhl ? r "'"" "TIT = '"" S ' »" *" « 

cleanliness for a ,„„e •-, use , ,1 " , ""' "'"■ S:,um,] P ride : "" ! 

sea, bat s , the v '' "' ""'"-, " K ' »™^°™ contents into the 

K^^JE"!'^* -Heirlrw^d 

I tn( an to tall like ram on all those near them Tl„. rWi 

^ough to wreck a cast iron stomach P S motlon Vvere 

enacted at best drill njc , iviucn ol the comedy was 

drill, rhis occurred twice daily. All men were assembled on the 



86 THE LIAISON 

decks and each man had his place and instructions on what to do in case of 
danger. During this little hit of routine the decks were jammed to the limit. 
After assembling it was necessary to stand in place a little while before dismissal. 
It was here that the fun began. The strain of standing up in that breathless con- 
gestion was too much, and the old malady would reassert itself with renewed 
force. Soon funny grimaces would begin to appear on the pale faces, and some 
one would yell, "Gangway! One side or a wheel off! Am coming through!*' 
and start for the rail. And loudly expressed sympathy was never lacking. In- 
variably he was followed by such consoling remarks, "Two hits you come! Two 
to one you throw a seven. Hooverize a little there old man: you'll need that 
chow when you hit the trenches! Why waste that mutton? The fish don't need 
it! Etc.'' But the boys were good sports with that unfailing' sense of humor 
that has meant so much to the American fighting man. They'd line up along the 
rail and then engage in gambling on who could throw "it" the farthest. 

This daily drill was ended by the blowing of "recall" at each end of the 
boat, and never was there a more welcome sound from a bugle. One afternoon 
we assembled as usual, the half hour passed and no recall sounded. We waited 
and waited, growing grumblingly impatient It was hard enough to stand that 
grind for half an hour without being imposed upon by a "gold-brick" bugler. 
Finally a detail was sent in search of the "wind-jammer." After a short search 
he was found at a faucet trying to rid the interior of his "sleep-disturber" of 
>ome partly pre-digested particles of food that interfered seriously with the 
production of sound. It appears that just as he started the vainly awaited call 
his stomach erupted and the overflow clogged the bugle, lie was told in no 
tender tones by the victims of his mishap to "get a drum, a rattle, a can, if he 
couldn't blow the calls." 

Another amusing incident in the pallid comedy was enacted down in the 
sleeping and eating quarters. At our table we had a large tub in which we 
washed our mess kits. One morning three of the fellows were overcome before 
they could reach the upper deck. ( hie stretched out on the table with his head 
hung over the tub, the other two were on their knees and the three of them in 
mutual woe poured out their "sorrows" into the friendly tub. The spectacle 
would have tickled a smile on the face of the sphinx. After each ebulition three 
heads would rise and look dolefully in each others face, and then in perfect 
cadence dip to another eruption. 

But it must not be inferred that life on hoard was a continuous gloom. Of 
course "Haltershank," "Tiny and Corky" will never say that it was other than a 
horrible experience. Yet the majority hold a different and brighter view - . There 
was always a daily program ot games and sports in which boxing contests figured 
as the outstanding events. A regular tournament was conducted and prizes given 
to the winners. There was also an abundance oi good reading material on 
hoard. A 'A " man had set up shop and he had with him a voluminous stock' ot 
varied reading matter. And with this went the miscellaneous output of humor- 
ous incidents that kept us laughing two-thirds of the time. 

Co-incident with the subsidence of seasickness the wonted cheerfulness re- 
turned and all on hoard settled down to enjoy the many and varied impressions 



THE LIAISON 87 

experienced in ocean voyaging. < >f course the scene as a whole never changes, 
yet there is always a newness, a varying panorama of emotional effects. ( hie 
of the most pronounced of these was the seeming lack of progress. Each morn- 
ing we came on deck, glanced over at the other ships and felt that we had not 
moved an inch ; the same sky, the same water, ships in the same formation, not 
the least sign of change. Another was an infinite feeling of loneliness. Around 
us the vastness of titantic waters and only the far reaches of sky in view, the 
infinitesimal nature of man was oppressively apparent. What mattered it to old 
ocean in the long still lapse of ages, if puny man did struggle pompously and vain- 
gloriously in little wars that left not a scar on his ancient hosom? lie would 
still sweep on in the serenity of his infinite strength, laughing at the ubiquitous 
frenzy of man in liis inane process of self destruction. 

duly 2, 1918. This date in itself has no universal significance, but all on 
hoard the Xestor that day will never forget it. For noon mess on this day we 
had one of the long looked for "EXTRAS." It was (let me whisper it) TRIPE, 
I'>y this time we were all ravenously hungry, usually cleaning up everything edible 
in sight, but this day the whole course remained untouched upon the table. It 
was impossible to get close enough to eat. Now, for the benefit of those unin- 
itiated in the mysteries of English cusine I'll try to explain the nature of this 
delectable delicacy called tripe. My knowledge of it is general and extraneous, 
its diagnosis being conducted chiefly through the sense of smell, and that at a safe 
and comfortable distance. At the time Uncle Sam, not dreaming of any such 
contingency, had not issued gas masks and without some such protection it was 
out of the question to get close enough for a thorough and experimental analysis. 
And not being of the species buzzard I was unable to use taste in any organic 
study of any of its integral parts, for only that bird could digestively disintegrate 
it and live. Judging from a distance its integrement was of a viscous composition 
resembling the corrugated lining of a ruminant stomach. There is no way to 
describe the odor because a comparison cannot be found in the categorv of smells: 
though its reaction with air emits a very volatile gas of great penetrative potency 
and nauseous to a superlative degree. Rumor has it that the Germans first con- 
ceived the idea of chlor-picrin from its use in prison camps. 

Its deadly effects were first noticed in those who carried the food from the 
galley. This day, deathly pale and wabbling at the knees, they staggered down 
stairs and deposited their load upon the tables. We were mystified at. their 
appearance, feeling sure that seasickness had departed for good. Without sus- 
picion, however, we started as usual for the festive hoard, but one whiff was 
enough. A wild scramble for the upper decks followed and a little later the boys 
were passing out a prolific \w<\ to the fish. Soon a call for volunteers was 
sounded and a few cast iron stomachs stepped forward. ( roing below they secured 
the deadly stuff and tossed it overboard. That was the last time we were caught 
napping. In no way could the ships' cook- persuade us to accept again their 
culinary efforts in that particular dish. To this day we can't understand why they 
became peeved, for surely every one has the right of self-defense. 



88 T H E L I A I S O N 

( >n this voyage we took part in perhaps the most unique celebration oi Inde- 
pendence Day ever staged. \ T ever was the place more appropriate or the occasion 
more significant. rJere were soldiers from the Cradle land ot Liberty, going 
far from home to combat the most powerful and aggressive enemy ot freedom 
the world has ever known. Three centuries before our sires had set a westward 
course across this self-same ocean to seek a land wherein the seeds ot Liberty 
could grow to perfect fruition; now their progeny, loyal to the trust of tin past, 
was recrossing to carry hack to the racked and tortured .Motherland the insuper- 
able strength of a free people dedicated to the cause of right. And on this our 
Nation's natal day we were nearing the very waters where had keen perpetrate'! 
the hellish crime that led us to the Great Decision, it seemed that out of the 
blue depths we could hear the anguished voices of murdered women and children 
of our own blood and land, calling upon us to avenge. < >n that beautiful day, in 
those hallowed waters, we felt their pleading presence, heard their call, and 
dedicated ourselves anew to the task before us. 

A good program for the day was carried out. The stern gun on each boat 
fired a salute and ( )ld ("dory was run up to the masthead, the Union Jack taking 
second place. Then came religious services, after which there were speeches by 
some of tin- notables on hoard. Two of these, characteristic and full of signif- 
icance, deserve special mention. It must he kept in mind that we were on board 
a British ship, a country with which we had twice successfully waged war over 
causes involving the principal of freedom. And though much is said to the con- 
irarv. there has always been more or less enmity between the Britisher and die 
American, as individuals. 

Representing America in this program was Major Ralph Cole, former Ohio 
Congressman and a statesman of breadth and ability. In an eloquent address he 
outlined the causes compelling America to a just resort to arms; her steadfast 
purpose; her gigantic preparations; her grim determination and unwavering 
faith in ultimate victory. Then warmly and with depth of feeling he eulogized 
the part the "Sea Girt Isle" was playing to stay the iron hand of despotism. En- 
thusiastically he called attention to the new spirit that had risen between England 
and America, the growing friendship, the deep affection for each other, the loy- 
alty and trust growing out of heroic sacrifice in a common cause; pictured the 
final welding of the two great English-speaking peoples, through the shedding of 
Yank and Tommy blood, shoulder to shoulder in divine abnegation for human- 
ity's sake. Closing, he offered a worthy panegyric to the American soldier going 
over sea- to fight not only for Ins own homeland, but for the world. 

In behalf of tin- British Empire, Dr. Brown, the ship's doctor, ably and 
graciously returned the compliment paid his native land. The man himseli is a 
characteristic product of < >ld Scotland's bonny hills, incarnating the brusquerie, 
the stolid humor, spontaneous cheerfulness and kindliness that are the very es- 
sence of Scottish life. Daily his massive face, bright scarlet under its salt tan. 
like the rising sun brought cheer and encouragement to the downcast. Unfailing 
were the slap on the hack and the witty joke; and the merry twinkle in his eyes 
was deadlv to the blues. 



THE LIAISON 89 

This address was forceful, tjlunt, and to the point. Briefly and wittily he 
touched upon our two collisions in the past, aptly leading it to a prophecy of < ier- 
many's ultimate fate, lie spoke of the mammoth mistake the War Lord made 
when he aroused the Giant of the West ; the joy our entrance into the war brought 
to despairing Europe; the new spirit horn among the .Allies, and the bright hope 
and certain faith in a victorious end. Pointing to the Stars and Stripes, he con- 
cluded, "American soldiers, beneath the rampant folds of that unsullied emblem, 
you will struggle to a glorious triumph. ( >n many fields of battle your heroic 
blood will stain the crimson bars a holier hue. You go to meet a cruel foe. hut 
soon he will learn the potency of your hand. For you. the youth and flower of a 
land of illimitable might, will drive the dirty Huns through the very gates of Hell. 
My prayers, England's prayer is. God bless you every one!" 

Various physical sports, featured by a lively boxing contest, ended perhaps 
the most impressive Fourth any of us had ever experienced. The occasion 
brought to us the true solemnity of the day's meaning, and though symbolic of 
England's defeat and America's victory, these two great peoples joined whole- 
heartedly in mutual celebration. Who can measure the meaning to the future? 

After a few days the egregious appetite of the soldier asserted its old-time 
form to such an extent that the galley issue only half satisfied it. Then began 
the nightly clandestine searches for food in the unexplored parts of the boat. 
Certain places on the ship were strictly "defendu" to the Buck, and he was out 
of luck should his friend, the M. P., catch him out of hounds. At first in our 
prowlings we discovered the "coolies' " kitchen and there were able to buy cakes 
and sandwiches. This place was on the stern end of the boat, and through a little 
two-by-nothing window we transacted our esoteric business with all the secrecy 
of a "blind tiger." 

But the daintiest and costliest hud was made down in that part of the boat 
devoted to appeasing the delicate and discriminating appetites of our officers. 
Some hero braved the cordon of ever watchful M. I'.'s around the Innier Shrine 
and came back within a big ten-inch apple pie, tastefully sugared and cinnamoned. 
Immediately he was elected Mayor with "three rousing cheers from the angry 
mob." But he didn't intend his exploit to go without netting him a fair com- 
pensation. In no way could he he induced to divulge the location ^t\ his "find." 
though he shrewdly suggested that he would buy and deliver the pies for a 
reasonable commission, say. one quarter out of each pie. This drew forth an 
angry howl, but the discoverer was immutable in his price; it was either twenty- 
five per cent, commission or no pie, just as yon please. ' )f course we consented, 
and the business of pie sales and delivery began. Well now, they were hard to 
take! So much did we enjoy them that at first we didn't notice the exhorhitant 
price, but soon pies at "$1 per" knocked a bole in our funds that brought us to 
lite. However, the temptation was too great, and we "rode" till the last two- 
hits melted in crisp) sweetness down our throats. ' >f course we were "fish." and 
of the "blue-gill" type at that. But eating with the soldier is like "shooting 
craps" — money is a mere trifle-. Me will "shoot a hale of Francs" as quicklj 



90 THE LIAISON 

as a centime, and <1<> it as unconcernedly as any "hear" ever bucked one across 
Wall Street. With ltis "•thirty bucks per - ' lie is a puzzling study in high finance, 
readv to "shoot the moon," or "let 'er all ride." So it is with eats; if he wants 
a pie and it is "getable" he will have it if it takes his last "sons." 

Soon our time at sea lead us to believe that we were nearing land. More 
and more we turned our wistful gaze towards the east, searching eagerly for man's 
natural element, hoping that cloud hank in the far distance was not another dis- 
appointment. Rumors of this nature, "the Captain told the Mate, the Mate told 
the crew, and the crew told me. and I know that it must he so," went their rounds 
in expressing the various dates for landing. We were as garrulous, excited and 
expectant as children nearing grandmother's for the first time, and all were won- 
dering if we'd know land when we saw it again. 

At last, on the eleventh day out, we were informed that on the following 
morning land would he visible. We had learned by this time that we were in 
high latitude and that our course would carry us through the Xorth Channel and 
down the Irish Sea. This was done as a precaution against submarine. So that 
night in our happiest frame of mind we sought our hammocks. As early as 2:00 
a.m. we scrambled out and climbed to the upper decks. An indescribable picture, 
surpassing even our eager expectancy, lav before us. Due to that peculiar phe- 
nomenon of the far north it was as light as a sunless day; objects at far distances 
being clearly discernable. There was the faintest ripple on the green waters and 
a slight breeze with all the freshness of dawn that whispered of the presence of 
verdant fields and high mountains. It was not the odorless air swept from the 
ocean, but there was virile tang of soil, of living, growing things. And even 
before we saw, we sensed land. There it was to port and starboard, dim in out- 
line in that dawn light, yet clearly recognizable. ( hit on the horizon to port the 
craggy peaks of Scotland's hills loomed up in somber silhouette, their bases dipping 
to the very water's edge. Mere and there out of the shadowy depths of bosky 
inlets, quaint fisher's villages, white and red, peeped in half timid wonderment: 
green fields, seemingly suspended in the very air. checkered the gray hills beyond . 
and a low hung haze, tenuous and purpled with the coming dawn, gave to it all 
tiie enchanting hue of fairyland. 

On our starboard was the Emerald Isle, wave lashed promontories and 
jagged headlands, that far northern part of untamable spirits and adventurous 
blood that so often infested our boy dreams with the romances and wild deeds 
of the Rob Roy. 

These scenes created a vast restlessness on board. There was an unceasing 
movement from one side of the ship to the other, everyone eager to take a all in. 
fearing some beautiful picture would pass on the opposite side unnoticed. After 
so many days of ocean's grey monotony, the reaction to these color effects verged 
towards suiter-animation. Conversation assumed a rosier hue, everyone wanted 
to talk, and the merest commonplaces engaged friends in discussions ol length. 

"Why it looks just like any other land: nothing strange about foreign soil,'' 
some one remarked. Then- von have in a nutshell the inadverdant confession 



THE LIAISON 91 

of the attitude with which one approaches a new land. Ever notice how your 
imagination will picture it? Absolutely different, no likeness whatever to your 
homeland, the very soil and contours strange. Von feel as though you are going 
into a new world completely apart from the earth you know- going to see hills 
that are not the same, rivers of a novel kind, and fields of a new design. Truth- 
fully you are a wee bit disappointed to find that they have grass and tree- and 
rocks the same as they have in America, and you are inclined to believe that the 
word foreign is a misnomer. 

Soon the deep purple on the distant hills turned to lighter tones of mottled 
grev and gold, and crimson streamers far Hung across the zenith betokened com- 
ing dav. Then from out behind the Scottish hills the sun appeared and drove 
the morning mists into feathery masses that floated in tranquil laziness through 
the blue depths above. Foggy valleys cleared and the land on either side lay 
before us in all its sunlit splendor. The channel widened into the broad outlines 
of the sea and the shore lines receded as we steamed southward. 

Looking ahead we saw what appeared to be just mere black spots on the 
water's surface; but as we drew nearer to them they took on the formidable yet 
graceful lines of English "chasers," or, as the ship's doctor so fondly characterized 
them "Britain's Bull-dogs." Then we knew that we were in waters infested 
with the hidden dangers of the Hun. This was the English convoy come to meet 
and escort us to port. Much we had heard of the fame of the "sub-chasing" wing 
of England's great navy, and the sight of them created a great deal of excitement. 
Twenty-four in number: they seemed to be everywhere, all around us, a perfect 
cordon of safety defense, darting here and there keenlv alert, daring the skulking 
sub to show itself. 

And we were not to be denied our portion of excitement. About 2:00 p.m. a 
destroyer in the van "unwatered" a submarine; then the greatest activity ensued, 
projector signals darting from boat to boat like miniature lightening Hashes. The 
destroyers on our side of the boat started forward at full speed; gun reports 
were heard and we could see the upward curling smoke. It was a battle with 
Hun submarines and they were no match for the "Bull dogs." Soon all was quiet 
and the communique came back; "an encounter with German U-boats; one sub 
destroyed ; no cause for alarm." Well, we breathed easier when this cheery 
message drove from our minds the haunting visions of swimming through icy 
waters to the distant shores. 

All day we steamed southward, in the late afternoon passing the beautiful 
Lie of Man, a veritable gem of clay and green in its watery setting, by far the 
most enrapturing picture seen. There was a strong urge within to jump oxer- 
hoard, swim to it and remain forever — seeking it as a sanctuary far removed 
! rom the cares of a distraught world. 

Night came again — our last on the Xestor — and we went happily to our 
hammocks with the assurance that next morning would find us in port. Sure 
enough next morning found our boat grounded in the river Mersy at low tide, 
and on either side as far as the eye could see stretched the grey dock: of the 
second largest seaport in the world — Liverpool. Countless tugs were puffing 



92 T H E L I A I S O N 

from shore to shore, and now and then a ferry boat would pass, loaded with 
pretty girls who welcomed us royally. The city with its red tile, myriad chim- 
neys and mysterious air of "ye "'den limes." held our eager attention. \\ e were 
"boiling over"' to disembark, but (confound the perversity of Nature), we had to 
nurse our seething impatience as best we could, for the tide was not high enough 
for a landing until noon. So we waited, watching the water creep up on the side- 
of the ship inch by inch with as much gusto as we'd watch a marathon in .-nail- 
land. 

I hit finally the required profundity was reached and we docked. Shortly 
we disembarked and then followed the long tiresome hike through the city to 
tamp Knotty Ash. Liverpool's famous rest camp for soldiers en route. It was 
here that we first saw the realistic horrors of war. and sensed its awful curse. 
Hundreds of children, ragged and unkempt, the cruel pinch of long endured 
hunger in their face's, welcomed us with the joyous fervency accorded a deliverer. 
Untold numbers of young men. one-legged or one-armed, favored us with a 
smile wistfully sad in contemplation of the fate that awaited many oi us. 111- 
dressed women, many weeping and hysterical, surged along our column in a 
tumultuous welcome. It was hard to restrain the tears and into many hearts 
crept a savage undying hate for the hellish perpetrators of the crime- before us. 

But I'm running the good ship N T estor aground. My story should have 
vndvd at the wharf. However, if I can run her aground, and keep her there, 
many a Yank will he thankful from the very depths id" his heart. 



OVER THERE 

•'40 FTommes Ou' 8 Cheveaux." 

In America a Knight of the Khaki, in traveling from camp to camp, is wont 
to turn loose a despairing wail like the last mournful howl of a dying coyote. 
should we he put to the discomfort of a commodious day-coach. Many are the 
times that he is tortured to near distraction by premature sensations oi crowded 
and stuffy quarters, cramped joints, and sleepless nights. Think of it — two whole 
men. big, broad-shouldered, thick-chested soldiers, must occupy one seat, and in 
any day-coach there's only comfortable room for one head at the window. 
Shades of the sleeping martyrs— Patriotism does demand an awful price. Mere, 
men going gladly to die for home and country, forced to undergo the travail of 
animal transportation. It's too much Uncle Sam i- heartless \nd fol- 
lowing, numberless and nameless imprecations called down in righteous wrath 
upon the I 'owers that he. 

Such is the attitude of the embryonic soldier, fresh from cultured fields 
wherein they want and childish whim are serfeited with over-indulgence, going 
to do battle in a man's war; he. only ;i short time since, a frequenter oi the "pink 
tea," a nurseling in the lap of languid ease. Untutored in the trials that try the 
Staunchest -onls. untrained in the school of gruelling hardships, he fails to sense 
the necessity of the least discomfort. 



THE LIAISON 93 

But far away in France there was to be an awakening which would make 
the day-coach of America look like a palatial Pullman. In the gradual evolution 
of transportation facilities, from the ancient and honored shank locomotion to 
the winged Pegasus of steel and steam, wonderful progress has been made. Miles 
are now measured in minutes, and far distances have ceased to be sources of 
discomfort in travel. But alas— (as the American soldier sees it), France, with 
her characteristic trait for time-honored attachments, became enamored with the 
box-car and, as far as we have knowledge, has not yet forsaken her first love. 

Often had we heard that this was the prevailing •'mode de voyage - ' for 
American soldiers in France, hut we only jeered at the tale as a "poor line" from 
some over-imaginative Yank who wished to impress the people hack home with 
the terribleness of the hardships endured. 

It was in Havre that we were first introduced to the now famous sardine's 
style of travel. One afternoon, from one of those inimitable "rest camps," 
where we had been vegetating for two blissful days, we were marched to a quaint 
little station, mossed and greyed with the flight of time, and entrained for our long 
journey South. It was a memorable hike. Loaded down with a pack originally 
conceived for a horse, we swung through the cobble-stoned streets of that his- 
toric town with a buoyancy horn of boyish eagerness. Traversing the entire 
length of the town (for some unknown reason all camps are located as far as 
possible from the railhead), we were finally and wearily ••columned" into a little 
court and drawn up alongside the track. Then followed the usual effervescings 
from the company "crabs," concerning delays, waits, official inefficiency, etc.. etc. 
The old "stuff" was passed around and the usual "line"' indulged in. all wondering 
when we would entrain. 

Suddenly someone espied over near a long platform an interminable line of 
toy-wheeled box-cars, each esthetically decorated with a neat little notice in 
attractive white letters: "40 Homines on" X Cheveaux." 

"What does that mean?" some one asks. 

"Forty men and eight horses," replies a wag. 

"W hat-all o" that mess in one of them infant boxes: Why, the poor 
horses 'ud never stand it." 

In derisive unanimity comes the howl, "You're in the army now." 
And so the jesting went on, none believing that that was our train. 
I hen like a bolt from a blue sky. an officer began to bawl out orders. "Fall 

in: line up on the platform in front of the car; hurry it up: forty men to a car. 

< ret the rags out; we leave in a few minutes." 

Some mistakes somewhere. It can't be possible that we are going to ride in 
that outfit. Hut no; the men are riling in. 

Soon the sardines were packed, the locomotive tooted, and amid a storm of 
varied and mostly unprintable expressions, we started for we knew not where. 
1 Mir sole source of rumor and wild guesses was the fact that it was to be a ion- 
Journey. This we knew because a four-day ration of "willy and beans and punk- 
had been stored on board. 



94 THE LIAISON 

Accepting the inevitable with characteristic Yankee resignation, the wonted 
cheerfulness prevailed again, and the situation grew amusing. After arranging 
our "baggage" there was a wild scramble for the observation sections of the 
coach, the spacious sliding door of artistic simplicity on each side. Soon these 
aperture- looked like a hole in a tin can through which a hunch of angle-worms 
are trying to wriggle to liberty. Each door presented the appearance of a dis- 
ordered conglomeration of heads, arms and legs, resembling a "slum stew" a la 
Cannibal Isle. 

Tlie doors gave only a slight indication of the breathless congestion within. 
The nearest approach to a simile is a spaghetti-like hall of snakes buried away 
in winter quarters. It was like trying to solve a Chinese puzzle to Hud your own 
legs in that mess and many a time a guy would hud himself chasing a cootie on 
some part of an anatomy not his own. 

\ow in this mode of travel there are a few problems pertaining to comfort 
that must he solved. A most puzzling one of these is sleeping. However, after 
much worry and profound deliberation the difficulty was solved by arranging the 
tryst with Morpheus in shifts. Some of the fellows would stand up (or get out 
and walk ) while the rest slept awhile, and then change. In this manner the night 
was worried through; and, hut for one very annoying exception the sleeping was 
ideal. We had splendid "downies" of smooth, hard hoards on which to spread 
our rolls, soft as eider-down. In luxurious languor on these princely pallet.-. 
swept over by the fragrant odor common to every soldier who has ever handled 
a "hoof-] >ick." we were (or should have keen) lulled peacefully to sleep. Hut in 
France, for some reason, unknown and unexplainable, there is a tendency to 
make the wheels an octogon shape instead of round. Imagine the effect on those 
riding above them on springs whose resiliency may he compared to the oft- 
quoted "wall of adamant."' Every revolution of the wheels — and there were 
million^ of them — registered eight healthy bumps upon some part ot the sensi- 
tive anati imy. 

The thought must not he harbored for an instant that this was a doleful and 
agonizing trip. There were many and varied humorous incidents that kept the 
spirit of jollity to the highest pitch. < )ne such incident, or more truly an accident, 
deserving of space in this brief narration, is "Tiny" Wise's feet. Though 
should this refer to material space it would require the volumes of the Congres- 
sional Library to till the hill. < >ne not acquainted with these monster appendages 
could easily mistake them for tanks ploughing their lazy way across an open held. 
When lying on his hack they resemble "Pillsbury's Best" sign-hoards In the 
car they consumed more -pace than one man and one set of feet were rightly 
entitled to. Time and again the fellows were compelled to swing up to the cross- 
beams in order to let Tiny turn around. It was the writer's misfortune to be caged 
in the same car with these zoological prodigies. Never will forget how, during 
one night, I awoke with the horrible sensation that the train had keen wrecked, 
and that 1 was buried beneath the debris. There seemed to lie an awful weight 
crushing down upon my neck, and I struggled with all my might to remove it. 
When nearlv exhausted sanitv returned, and on examination I found that it was 



THE LIAISON 95 

only one of Tiny's dreadnaughts resting- serenely across my neck, swung there 
during some restless moments in his sleep. 

Inns, through quaint villages of stone and tile; through fresh green fields 
copiously crimsoned with myriad poppies; over quiet streams and placid deep 
green canals; past herds of fattening cattle and seas of ripening grain; on south- 
ward we sped to the France of endless sunshine; where the rich green of vine- 
yards was just deepening into those soft tones of purple and bronze and gold 
indicative of Autumn's abundant yield. And this our first trip in the "40 Homines 
and 8 Cheveaux" found its end at Bordeaux. .Many such have been taken since, 
and not one of them leaves a poignant memory. In our hearts there is no bitter- 
ness, no regret; only a glad feeling for the unique experience, interest and 
humor afforded us. 

Echoes From French Barracks. 

"As long as you can shake a finder you are not drunk." 

"Knocked him for a gooney." 

"I wish I was home to get some whipped cream and cake." 

"He's not hard, he's just hungry."' 

"Aw! Mow do you get that way?" 

"Have you a cigar lor the Major this morning?" 

Say, Pinkie, do you remember the time that you and .Max cooked on that big German 
stove, and the day that you ran out of rations, and you "went out into 'No .Man's Land' 
and got some cabbage, turnips and onions and made what we call stew" ? 

Zip, the Bank Robber. 
Fiynn : "Kiskits, wee !" 

Demniy: "\Aw, Lieutenant, there's just one thing 1 don't understand about wireless 
telegraphy." 

Harris : "Just one? Oh ! Lord !" 

Did you ever eat with your plate on your lap 
And your cup on the ground by your side. 

While the cooties and bugs of species untold 
Danced fox-trots over vour hide? 



M.\t and Hank Go to Gas S< hool 



how we were so 



By way of explanation it might be well to say a few words as to 
fortunate as to secure this trip. A General Order'...' the A. F. F. required "each regiment 
to send a certain number of men to Gas School at a point in France, where thev could 
profit by the experience of officers who had been at the front and knew the game. We 
had finished one school at Gamp «le Souge and had a lair knowledge of gas and its effects 
but lacked the practical side of it. So. for this. we were sent t( , Anm Gag Sd)(i(i| ^ 
Langres. Haute Marne. 

A trip of this kind is supposed to be a g 1 example of "business before pleasure," 

but it proved to be one of pleasure, business and then some more pleasure, for our trip 
both going and returning, was a great and enjoyable experience. We earned, besides our 
packs, side amis. gas mas ks and helmets, the usual well known rations of Vmerican white 



96 THE LIAISON 

bread, Boston's favorite fruit and monkey meat — enough for one day's travel. Our tickets 
ailed for second class passage. The train was scheduled to leave at 11:30, but, owing 
to a lengthy argument between blank and a cafe cashier, we arrived at the station too 
late to secure second class compartments. The only room left was a part of a first class 
compartment and baggage car. We couldn't see the baggage car at all. so tried the first 
class stuff. Mere we made ourselves at home, put our packs in the racks above the seats 
and awaited results. 

A first class compartment on a French train is classy and has every convenience of a 
modern limousine. Its two massive, comfortable seats face each other ami are upholstered 
in a soft heavy material with fancy lace pads over the hacks. The compartments are 
connected by means of a narrow hall extending the full length of the car and having a 
door at each end — the only means of exit on this side of the car. Heavy glass windows 
protected by a brass rail, provide an excellent view of the passing country. 

In such a compartment as this we had voluntarily put ourselves "at ease." Yen soon, 
however, we were called to •'attention" by a portly, highly decorated Frenchman, who 
asked us for our tickets. We had looked for this hut tried to appear as innocent as possible. 
In characteristic French fashion he waved his arms by way of showing that he wanted US 
to "sortez tout suite." Of course in a case like this it was policy for us to not understand 
at all and to sit tight. Our friend with the hrass buttons worked himself up to a high 
pitch of excitement, hut finally realized that he was not making the least impression on 
its and passed on. 

Soon after this we became acquainted with the other occupants of the compartment. 
Our little tray had afforded them much amusement and no introductions were necessary. 
'I he party was composed of three French X. C. O.'s and a French civilian with his wife. 
By the aid of our French hooks we were able to "parlez" a little with them until about 
1 o'clock, when we prepared to eat lunch. We had often heard that the French were 
fond of American white bread hut did not know how they would take to the rest of our 
menu. The} took to it all right, somewhat to our misfortune, for it was not until we had 
disposed of more than half of our rations that all seemed satisfied. Then the X. C. O.'s 
produced the finishing touches for our little lunch, by bringing to light three canteens of 
sweet French wine. With this added refreshment, we smoked and talked until our train 
arrived, about 6:30 at Tours, where we were to change cars. 

1 he M. J', s here were possessed with a high sense of duty and prevented us from 
leaving the station to see the town. While eating supper at the depot cafe we noticed 
that the French soldiers looked longingly at our big loaf of white bread lying on the 
table. When a French Major, sitting at the next table so far forgot his rank as to ask us 
i" sell him some of our punk, our sympathies got the best of us and we gave him enough 
for his supper. 

Our train left Tours for Langres about 8:30. Nothing of any note happened on the 
wav and Langres was reached just in time to catch a truck out t i the gas school. There 
we were assigned to hunks and soon turned in for the night. The following dav we lis- 
tened to a series ol lectures and spent the rest of the time getting acquainted with our 
comrades and our newly issued rifles. Now most of us were Artillerymen and were 
about as graceful with a rifle as a doughboy would be around a seventy-five. Some of 
the fellows dropped their rifles on their toes and some persisted in jabbing their friend- 
in the rihs or eve- every time they performed the daily dutv of the manual of arms. 

The school was located on the cresl of a hill surrounded on all sides b\ deep valleys 
with little villages and farm houses scattered here and there. The Marne river run- 
through one valley which is particularly rich for farming, t hie evening we walked out to 
the edge of this valle.v to watch the sun set. a scene of beauty tit for an artist'- brush. 
The sun, partly hidden h\ the distant horizon, cast a purple haze over the vallev and the 
red tiled roots so typical of French villages appeared here and there like splotches of 



THE LIAISON 97 

7 ,ms " n - 0n the hour the chimes from the various churches pealed forth the time while 
the Marne, so famous in history, flowed on in a stillness that expressed peace rather than 
the raging of battle. Sitting there watching it all, we more nearly appreciated the love of 
country that makes the French tight so nobly. 

Perhaps a brief description of our duties for one day will give you a vague idea of 
life at a gas school. We will pick Wednesday, the big day when our night problem was 
reviewed by an army of officers ranking from Colonel down. Reveille came at 7 30 with 
roll call and -present arms." Mess was the next formation with each of the two 
companies (tour platoons to a company) occupying its own part of the mess hall The 
sergeant in charge had a way of giving "left face" on meal and -right face" the next 
so that each end of the company would have an equal chance at the grub We were in 
the middle ot the company and so were S. O. L. on this deal. Setting up exercises helped 
to digest our mess and then came a lecture with notes to be taken and handed in for 
grading. 

After the lecture we marched out to the drill held for gas-mask drill, which usually 
consisted of squads east and west, and various games while wearing the mask Putting 
the mask on by counts was also a popular diversion. One of our instructors was a Scotch 
sergeant who had served all through the war in the Scotch Highlanders. He wore the 
native bits and boasted three wound stripes. This -chappy" had the persistent habit of 
throwing gas grenades near us when we least expected them, making us put our masks on 
in a realistic way. On our two hour hikes, wearing the respirator, old Scotty was our only 
salvation. He had a heart and would hike us about twenty minutes, then take us to some ■ 
shady spot, give "remove masks" and watch our grateful faces appear. Then he would 
tell us of his early experiences in the war game while we rested for the return trip to camp 
Following dnll each morning we would go through the gas chamber, in this way getting 
acquainted with the odors of every gas used excepting mustard. We got a whiff of a 
light concentration of this one day. in the lecture hall, where it was kept in a large cylinder 
Some of the fellows who had bad colds sniffed too long and as a result did bunk 'fatigue 
the rest o the day. Taking wind observations and handing in our reports completed 
our work tor the morning. ' 

When the dinner of evaporated potatoes and stewed salmon, which appeared rather 
regularly, had been disposed of, we were supposed to be in a fit state of mind for a lecture 
A second lecture was handed out to us before the afternoon was over. There was a two- 
hour hike, wearing masks, sandwiched in to relieve the monotony. Finally came the pre 
senration ot a pick and shovel, in preparation for the night's problem. These problems 
were chronic, coming almost every night. As their purpose was to represent a doughbo) 
cloud gas attack, one company set the guns and projectors and fixed the ammunition for the 
Mokes mortars. The other company occupied the trenches and prepared for the attack 
by posting sentries and fixing gas alarms. When these preparation. f or the night manoeuver 
were completed all hands ate a lunch and took a little rest before the tire-works start ed 

About seven o'clock on this particular night the officers arrived accompanied by a 
•and. The concert was enjoyed by all who were not shooting craps in their barracks 
Lieut Payne a snappy bird of small stature and "beaucoup" pep, was in charge of the officers 
and the way he handled then, showed his ability as an instructor. Colonels and Lieutenants 
alike were shown no mercy as he gave then, a short course in gas-mask drill, and then 
>ned them all up behind the offensive company to watch the work. This company made 
the attack while halt of the others went into the trenches and half waited as a relief nam 
The men m the trenches posted their gas sentries and reinforced their defences \ t the 
first sign o, the attack the sentries gave the alarm and the strict routine of a gas attack 
— carried out The relief part 3 arrived after the tirst attack and took our places, following 
our methods of defense, and the problem continued. The one casualty of the night's 
problem was a sergeant who faded to get his mask on before a gas cloud reached him. 
Me Fainted and was carried in on a stretcher which was alwavs provided for such oner- 



98 THE LIAISON 

gencies. Upon investigation it was found that this attack was one of smoke only and you 
can imagine that he was subjected to unmerciful kidding by the rest of the men. 

Examination came on Saturdaj and proved to be much shorter and easier than anyone 
had anticipated. We made up our packs in the afternoon and bid the Gas School "good- 
bye." Naturally, we wanted to return by way of Paris, so .Mac. as the ranking non-com.. 
explained to the R. T. O. that we had a hunch of stuff to get there on the way back. 
This officer wore that same knowing look so habitual to all R. T. O.'s and smiled as he 
gave us tickets to Paris. Back of us. in line, was a colored soldier with the rank of Color 
Sergeant, who had listened intently to our spiel to the R. T. ( >.. so he brought forth this 
bright idea. "Sir, my adjutant says fur me to he sure to get him some things in Paris and I 
will have to get 'em." Once more the l\. T. < >. smiled and gave the sergeant a ticket to 
Paris. \s our train was not scheduled to leave until 4 o'clock in the morning, we stayed 
in a casual camp that night, and then departed in the lust of spirits, comfortably settled 
in a second class compartment. Nothing of am importance happened and we arrived at 
the Gare de Est station about 11:30, receiving our passes from the A. I'. M. as we checked 
in at the gate. 

The Hotel du Pavillion had been recommended to us as a good place to stay, hut not 
being quite sure of the location of the said hotel we decided to indulge in the luxury of a 
carriage. However, all the drivers looked at the five of us with our full packs as much 
as to say that they were driving carriages, not tanks, and forthwith refused to carry us. 
We were about to give it up when we saw a cocher coming down the boulevard and thi^ 
time we played the hold-up game. After stopping the outfit, we threw our packs in ami 
followed closely after them. Once more our limited knowledge of French helped us for 
the longer the driver protested, the less we understood and paying him in advance we 
started down the main stem. 

Originally a large Paris hotel, the Motel t\u Pavillion is now run by the American 
V". M. ( '. \. On the first floor is the office and the check room where we checked our 
packs. Also on this floor are the dining room, billiard room and the library, where the 
best accommodations for reading and writing are to he found. Our room, with private 
bath, was on the second floor and had all the conveniences of a Statler hotel. The furniture 
was of heavy mahogany and our bed of the massive French type, that makes an army cot 
look like a good sized foot-stool. As we entered the dining room for lunch we looked upon 
the best sight since leaving the States. The room was beautifully decorated and a large 
fireplace lent it a comfortable atmosphere. White linen and real dishes were on the tables. 
while pretty French waitresses added further to the scene — flitting here and there in little 
white aprons and caps. Pest of all they gave von seconds on sugar when vim tipped them 
on the Q. T. 

We were told that the Y. M. C. A. furnished two sight-seeing trips a day — a hike in 
the morning and a motor trip in the afternoon. We decided to take these trips the next 
dav as it was growing late, and then started for a little stroll down the Boulevard des 
Ftaliens. You can't go very far in Paris without getting the spirit of the city and that spirit 
is "forget your troubles." We were soon full of it and after some refreshments, found 
ourselves in a cocher with a Mademoiselle on each side getting acquainted with the city. 
Then after a good dinner at the "Y." we started out Spirit hunting again. Seated at one 
of the wine tables that line the sidewalks in France, we had a hard time keeping the 
vampires away for they seemed to fall for the American soldiers. After our drinks we 
ventured into one of the famous Follies of Paris. The Follies Pergere. something like 
the American musical comedy hut in French style. At this time Paris was without lights 
at night as a precaution against air raids and it was witli some difficulty that we found our 
way hack to the "Y." We slept great that night, between white sheets. 

I he next day was spent in sight-seeing with a "Y" man as a guide. At a station on 
the Boulevard des [taliens we entered tin Metro and found that it surpasses the subway of 
Xew York in size and beauty. It is finished in white tile and the cars, like those of the 



THE LIAISON <>> 

railway, arc divided into two classes— first and second. We got off at the "Sacre Coeur" 
church, a beautiful structure being builded by public subscription. Here is a splendid 
mlaid work oi precious stones and gold suggesting an enormous outlay of wealth and 
lab-r. Leaving the Sacre Coeur we again entered the .Metro, passed under the Seine and 
came up on the Cite or Island, where Paris was originally started. As we approached the 
Notre Dame Cathedral our guide pointed out the tower where the "Fool of Notre Dame" 
had once hidden. The feature of the cathedral that impressed us was the grand simplicity 
'" the ""J , "' , i lm ' st - vle " f architecture as shown by the single flying buttresses and plain 
massive pillars that supported the weigh, of the vault. T1 H beautiful rose window of stone 
a " d Slass rising to a height of forty feet, is surmounted by an elegant colonade, and above 
this are the towers. 

) Ve s ', ,w the Saint Gervai * Cathedral, which a shell from the long range guns had 
~ mU ' k " U Ea f r m " rmn - We couId ^e before us the material results of that 'shot but far 
f, rCa * er VV3S the f 6 ? that if had >" firi »g to a winter heat the hatred of the French toward 

he Germans At the Palace of justice, the beautiful Supreme Court room with its rich 
tapestries and gold sen,,, work on the ceiling, won our admiration. Before leaving the court 
T™ WC "" ' k tU " 1S ™ "«mg in the Supreme Judge's seat. Next came the Bastille where 

hC kCC1Kr f° Wed US | he P riso »s of all of the noted men held during the Revolution, not 
forgetting the room where .Marie Antoinette was put before her trial and execution We 
were interested in the guillotine used at that tune, and the courtyard where the guide told 
us that the blood ran knee deep. 

The massive steel work of the Eiffel Tower was the next surprise in store for us \t 
tins tune the tower was being used as a wireless station and for that reason we were not 

' " ttC * '" g ° UP i" the deVat0r - At thC [,1VaHdeS WC Sa " al] °* ^e captured war material 
taken rotn the Germans as we., as all of the old guns and weapons used in the early 

Wa " 01 F ; anCC - l " der the D ° me is Napoleon's tomb, but at this time it was covered with 
sandbags for protection against air raids. 

Passing through the Tuileries we came upon the Obelisk Needle standing on the site 
occupied by the guillotine during the Reign of Terror. Mere we saw the Alface-1 orra 
monument in shrouds o mourning-, now so happily removed, and then we passed through 
the Palace de la Concorde out on to the Rue Royale and the .Madeline. As we entered the 

From 2 S V ^ T^ " *« ^ ^^ ^ b ™«™ sculpture l rk 

From the Madeline a car took us to our hotel, tired, but satisfied with the thought that 

: , :;:;:;: , ;" e most r de , rful " ays that we ,iad ever ,ived - D ^ *« ~* 

interetin^ Atl " V T "' *° ^ ^^ ^^ findin « SOmethi »^ new and 

~z £ X dimmshing finances forced us to ^ ai] ■■< «* *«* *»* ■* 

an F ° r tHe tn ", " aCk 5° B ° r ' deaUX We SCCUred first dass P^sage ami without anything of 
any importance happening arrived there about 6:30 in the evening. The Red Cros at t h 
station gave us our suppers as we were financially embarrassed and would have had to t 

-^otherwise. We were lucl, enough to catch a truck for camp Jh \ ^ 
«elfi.hl 3 grateful, perhaps, tor the gas that had made our wonderful 'rip possible 



/e arrived 



100 



THE LIAISON 



Rations. 
Slum — anything, mostly meat. 
Spuds — Potatoes undressed or full pack. 
Light Artillery — beans. 
Gold rish : Marine chicken — .salmon. 
The hot, wet, muddy — coffee. 
Sowbelly — bacon. 
Punk — liread. 
Worms — spaghetti. 
Sugar — the officers got it. 
Jam — they got that, too. 
Sinkers — dumplings. 
Army strawberries — prunes 

— ! The unmentionable army pudding. 

Dehydrated potatoes — "Saddler be a little more careful where you throw your scraps 
of leather." 

Rawce — rice. 

\ iggerhead — syrup. 

Zig-Zag. 



The first drink we had of Yin Rouge 
Was down in the sands of Camp Souge 

It tasted <|iiite tame. 

Made us all exclaim : 
So, this is the style of French booze! 



On pay-day we hit the Champagne, 
Proceeded to raise lots of cain; 

Drank water next day. 

For that was the way 
To start us all off once again. 



The next that we got was Yin Blink 
Mow this was an excellent drink; 

But one thing was bad. 

The effect that it had — 
Our soldier soon needed a sink. 



But take off your hat to Cognac; 

It's got what the other drinks lack 
It does what they don't. 
One shot and you won't 

Even care if you never go back. 



Reveille. 

Main a poet has written a lay, 

( )n the fact that the army can't start a new day, 

Unless every soldier piles out of the hay — 

For Reveille. 

Rain ma\ be pouring, the air may be cold. 
And the wind ina\ be howling with fury untold. 
But you'll fall in to-daj as you fell in of ,,1.1 - 
For Reveille. 



Show me the boys who don't want to survive, 
In see the glad day when we've finished our drive, 
And we don't have to rise at half after live — 
For Reveille. 

I). V. 



THE LIAISON 101 

The ( )ld Rolling Kit< m \. 

How sad to behold are the scenes oi the Army, 

As nightmares recall them to pass in review. 
The picks and the shovels, the detail-, and troubles, 

And every mean trick that the top sergeant knew. 
The clothes that n'er fit us, the cooties that bit us, 

The pup tents that leaked in a way sad to tell, 
The pills that they gave us in order to save us. 

And e*en the field kitchen that cooked nunc too well. 

The old rolling kitchen, the grease-crusted kitchen. 
The slum-making kitchen that cooked none too well. 

The mud and its splashin's, the iron travelling rations. 

The hob-nails that blistered, the packs that were lead, 
The hard tack and willie. the coffee served chilly, 

The sawdust we ate, tho the French called it bread. 
Oh softly now utter, the tale of the hutter. 

The milk- and the sugar, the jams and the jell — 
The government bought it. the officers got it. 

Our fate was the kitchen that cooked none too well. 

The old rolling kitchen, the grease-crusted kitchen, 
The slum-making kitchen that cooked none to., well. 

I low sad and forsaken, our rice and our bacon, 

Our gravy swam round in a mess kit of grease, 
Our spuds dehydrated, our beans isolated. 

And oh, how we longed for glad tidings of peace. 
For mother's hot biscuit, too good for a mess kit. 

And other fond joys of the home dinner bell, 
No longer so wary of things culinary, 

As of the field kitchen that cooked none too well. 

The old rolling kitchen, the grease-crusted kitchen. 
The slum-making kitchen that cooked none to,, well. 

On guard, Apremont, Nov. 5. 1918. 



I). V. 



The Bani 



A hunch of hrass is all we claim. 

With a few reeds thrown in; 
\\ c ask for none of world wide fame, 

for we think it would he sin ; 
Altho we have had the smell of powder. 

And heard the whiz of a shell; 
It just made us work all the harder 

To knock the Kaiser to I [ell. 
We did not do our hit in a trench. 

Bui traveled the whole night thru: 
Taking nations up to the hunch 

Behind an old army nude. 

Buck Fisher. 



THE LIAISON 103 



BAND HISTORY 

The Regimental Hand of the 134th assembled for the first time on July 19th, 
1917, at the South .Main St. recruiting office, Akron. ( )hio. We played one num- 
ber here and then marched to Buchtel Field. Lieutenant I ledges gave us a short 
talk, imparting our first knowledge of military rules and regulations. 

Every morning we reported at Buchtel Field and played in the grand stand 
while Headquarters Company drilled on the held. Those who did not live in 
Akron ate at Smith's Cafe and slept at Buchtel College. Our first marching in 
formation was done the second day when we led the company around the field 
three or four times. 

( )n July 25th we moved to Silver Lake. Here we were furnished two 
pyramidal tents ( I. C.) by Co.'s 1',. and F of the 8th O. X. G. (later 140th Inf.). 
who were camped at the Lake. As these tents accommodated only a few of us the 
rest stayed at their homes in Akron and Barberton. We rehearsed at Chautau- 
qua Lark so we could be by ourselves. 

( hi July 27th we were sent to Akron to play at the funeral of one of the 
Infantry hoys. Uniforms were borrowed from the ( ireat Western Land of 
Akron, as we had not been issued any regulation clothing. We marched about 
seven miles. As this was our first military funeral and long hike it seemed like 
seventy miles to us. We were tired out when we got back to the Lake. 

( >n Sunday. August 5th.. we played our first formal guard-mount for the 
Infantry. The trying ordeal was witnessed by a large crowd spending the 
day at the Lark. 

( )n the night of August 10th we toured Akron in trucks, advertising Auto- 
mobile Races which were to be held at Fountain Lark the following afternoon. 
We also played at the races. About the middle of August we gave a concert at 
Lakeside Lark, and later another one at the Motordome. The second week in 
August we gave a dance at the East .Market Street Gardens. With the proceeds 
we purchased several new instruments. 

The second week in September we were given an examination by Mr. Clark- 
Miller, former director of the 8th ( ). X. G. Band. As a result several non- 
coms were made. 

( )n the morning of September 2Sth. having arrived at Ft. Ben., we got up at 
5:30 a.m. to play Reveille for the First Battalion and Headquarters Detachment 
who were stationed there. This was our first Reveille and it brought every one 
out in a hurry, from the Regimental Commander to the lowest Luck. The Col- 
onel made a short speech of welcome, necessarily short as it was a very frosty 
morning and he was en dishabille. 

At Nashville, Tenn., on the way from Ft. Leu to ('amp Sheridan, we made 
a short parade and gave a short concert in the depot. 

Alter we had settled down in the company street at Sheridan we built a 
hand-stand in the woods just hack of camp, where we rehearsed twice a day. 
Besides these rehearsals we played Reveille at 5:30 a.m.. C.uard-Mount at L30 



104 THE LIAISON 

p.m., and Retreat at 6:00 p.m. In a few weeks a band stand was erected in front 
of Regimental Headquarters, where we played a concert every evening. 

During the first campaign for funds by the Y. M. C. A. we took several 
trips to nearby towns. We went with Mr. Mollen, our "Y" Secretary and played 
at Wetumpka, Eclectic and Tallassee. This was our first experience with 
Southern hospitality and it was genuine. Also, fried chicken, gravy, and 
Southern biscuit were greatly relished after four months of army slum. At each 
place tlie reception committee was made up chiefly ot the young ladies ot the town. 

The day before Thanksgiving the "Soldier's Minstrel - ' was given in Mont- 
gomery with great success. Two more performances followed on Thanksgiving 
Day. < hi the day before Christmas it was put on at the l\. C. hut. A few days 
after Christmas we were issued a few new instruments. 

( hi account of having so many horses, and for various other reasons, we 
were called upon to help groom the horses every daw Not many of us had ever 
been around horses very much and we furnished plenty of amusement for the 
"old timers" in the Company. Every time a horse switched his tail a hand man 
would hack out of a -tall and declare he "would never touch that sack of bones 
again." It was not long until we liked grooming so well that each, of us groomed 
at least three horses every day. This caused much dissention between us and the 
Company men. as grooming horses was also their hobby, and we left them but 
one horse apiece. We were given our first monkey-drill in March, and again we 
furnished amusement for the old-timers in the Company. 

On February 17 we lost one of our most popular members. Cook, the 
barber, received a discharge on account ot dependency. 

The Band left Montgomery on the 6th of April for their concert tour in 
Ohio. The special car which had been chartered for the trip was a Pullman. 
Upon reaching Louisville, Ivy., we changed from the L. & \. sleeper to a Big 
Four day-coach for Dayton, ( )hio, where our first concert was to be given. The 
Gem City was reached two hours late, but our audience had not lost faith. They 
were there to greet us with cheers as we marched into Memorial I lall at 5 :(K) p.m. 
that Sunday evening. Notwithstanding the fact that we had just completed a 
nine hundred mile ride without a stop or rest, a very good concert was rendered, 
judging from the applause. The quartet also made a big hit, responding with 
encores. After the concert we were escorted by the Chamber of Commerce to 
one of the large churches where the ladies with their daughters fully repaid us 
with a delicious supper. We "billeted" at tin- Algonquin Hotel. 

On the following morning we left Dayton to invade Barberton, where 
another most sincere welcome awaited us. After a short parade we were con- 
ducted to another of the ne'er-to-he-forgotten feast-, this time at the U. B. 
church. Our welcome was all the- more- hearty on account of Rev. Bovey being 
the father of one of our boys. After this splendid repast we attended a Liberty 
Loan meeting for which we furnished the music while the Chamber of Com- 
merce and people ot Barberton did die rest. Band-Leader Long and several ol 
the Band boys have homes here or nearby and they entertained some ot the hoys 
for the night, while the good people of Barberton took care of the rest. Much 



THE LIAISON ,115 

credit is due the people of Barberton for their kindness and generosity in furnish- 
ing funds in advance to enable us to make the trip from Sheridan. 

We left Barberton the following morning for Akron, where we paraded 
from Union Park to the Music Hall and there on the same evening played our 
third concert to a large and appreciative audience. Most of the boys went home 
or stayed at the hotels for the night. ( >n Wednesday we went back to Barber- 
ton and gave another concert. 

On Thursday the Hand arrived in Kent and attended the funeral of one of the 
hoys from Camp Sherman, escorting the body to Standing Hock Cemetery. In 
the evening the Band was given a banquet at the High School huilding by die 
girls of the school, their mothers and the business men of the town. Manager 
Hanley of the opera house furnished cigars and cigarettes for the crowd. Attn 
tins last big feast we adjourned to the Normal College auditorium, and there 
played the last concert of the trip, which was enjoyed by the students and the 
people of the town. Mayor M. L. Davey was responsible for our trip to that 
place and the Board of Trade made our visit a pleasant one. From here the boys 
scattered to their respective homes, some in ( )hio, some in other States. 

On Saturday. April 20th. we left Akron hound for Sheridan. Several of 
the boys joined the train at Columbus and Cincinnati. We arrived in Mont- 
gomery Sunday evening and proceeded to camp by the usual methods— street 
car and jit. 

"One good trip deserves another" again proved true. We were ordered 
South shortly to play at the towns of Evergreen and Greenville, Ala., for the 
benefit of the Third Liberty Loan campaign. 

\- a hand was very seldom heard in those communities, we were afforded 
a welcome never to he forgotten, especially in the way the people treated us as 
one of their family. On the first night it happened that several of the how lost 
out in not being able to find their rooms, so had to try to sleep on tin- railroad 
>tation floor. 

< >n arriving at Greenville we put up at the town hotel where our meals were 
furnished, consisting mostly of fried ham and potatoes three times a day. A 
dance was given at this town in honor of the Band. 

A few day. after this trip South. Assistant Hand Header Morey received 
his discharge. We were very sorry to lose him as he was thought a great deal 
of by every one. both in the Hand and Company. He has always been missed in 
the outfit. Abo he has kept in constant touch with us through all our wanderings. 

Our first billets in France were a; Chateau Choisv near Bordeaux. We 
played a concert each evening, hiking to the surrounding villages to reach the 
Batteries, and played at Regimental FJeadquarters every Sunday evening. After 
a Short stay at the Chateau we hiked with the Company to Camp de Souge leav- 
ing our instruments and barracks bags to he hauled over. The instruments did 
not arrive at Camp for three days and we had little to do until they came. 
Ihereatter we played concerts every evening at Regimental Headquarters or one 
oi the Battery barracks. 

It was during this stay at Camp de Souge that the minstrel was called upon 
again. An entirely new production was put on under the leadership of Harry 



106 THE LIAISON 

Young and Sergeant-Major Greenburg. The first show in France was even 
more of a success than that given in the States. This was largely due to the 
co-operation of the performers who were chosen from the various organizations 
of the Regiment. As usual the instrumental music was furnished by members 
of the Hand. This same show was given at all the "Y" huts in Camp, at the Camp 
Hospital, at a Base Hospital near Bordeaux, and at an American Naval Base 
near Pauniac, It was given a royal welcome everywhere it went and was called 
upon to put on a special performance for the officers of the 62nd F. A. Brigade. 

At Laimont we played concerts every evening and for the first time had to 
stand guard. Three of the new members of the Band— Mack, Bing and Mc- 
Elwie — were sent with a detail which took horses to the front. A few days 
before this the entire Hand had gone to Revigny and brought hack horses for 
the Company. 

At Pneumonia Valley we found an ideal camping ground. The only diffi- 
culties we encountered were trying- to sleep on the hillside and the daily heavy 
rains. Both were easy to overcome, the first by wrapping ourselves around the 
base oi a tree, and the latter by pretending we were ducks. During our stay here 
Miller became so sick, he had to be taken to a hospital. lie never returned to us. 

Tim' Band With the Supply Company. 

Just before Headquarters Company was divided and the Battalion and Regi- 
mental Details permanently assigned in preparation for our first service "Up 
Front,'" it became necessary to transfer the Hand. It was seen that with Head- 
quarters Company practically ceasing to exist as a separate organization, the 
question of mess for the Band would become a problem. At this particular time 
our Supply Company was somewhat below strength, a condition which may 
cause all kinds of inconvenience when a regiment is in action and dependent on 
its Supply Company for rations and forage. ( )ur Supply Company, then, was 
willing to furnish the Hand mess in return for the increased man power this 
would afford. Let us say right here that the cooks and mess officers of our 
"mule skinner" outfit never once failed to live up to their half of the agreement. 

So it was on ( >ctober 10th that the transfer was made and the place was 
"Pneumonia \ alley." Concerts and rehearsals now gave way to more essential 
fornix of activity and individual practice was replaced by nightly guard-duty 
over some two hundred "jar-heads'' that tugged at the Supply Company picket 
line. Incidentally the army mule had a lot of fun with his new guards until 
the) got next to some of his idiosyncracies. 

( Mi < October 12th a move was made to the village of Millery, several kilo- 
meters nearer the Front. The ride on Supply Company wagons was a welcome 
change from our habitual organ-grinder mode of travel with full-packs and 
instruments. ( Mir billets at Millery were all that could be expected, and our 
new officers let us down easy with guard-duty and a few spud-peeling details in 
the kitchen. By way of appreciation we dug out our horns and gave the boys 
a little jazz and also put on a concert at the nearby Evacuation Hospital of the 
92nd Division in return for frequent "('.('." pills and hot showers. 



THE LIAISON 107 

Watching air-battles was one of the popular pastimes at Millery, and it was 
while thus engaged one day that a half dozen of the fellows got a little thrill of 
their own. To secure a better view they had crawled through a small window 
of the billets out onto the roof. Presently something came whistling down with 
a shrill warning that sent the whole bunch hustling for that window much after 
the fashion of a frog entering a dug-out. How they doped it out that they would 
be any safer inside none has been able to explain, even had they reached the 
interior before the missle hit the ground. When it did hit there was no deafening 
explosion such as the boys had expected, and the committee of six set out to 
investigate. Their rinding consisted of a large piece of anti-aircraft shrapnel 
which had buried itself about two feet in the ground some fifteen yards from 
the billet. 

Perhaps the excitement of this little incident and the nerve strain that might 
result was responsible for our move to a "rest cam])" after nine days at Millery. 
Certain it is that the Hand at least was in no need of a rest. But we had learned 
long ago that rest camps are so called merely for lack of a better name, and. 
therefore, were not surprised to find "business as usual" at Camp ( >uest near 
Avrainville. Tn fact we threw in an occasional rehearsal and concert with our 
spud details just for good measure. ( )ne concert was played at a hospital near 
Toul and brought a reward of hot chocolate with cakes and cigarettes, and an 
opportunity to stock up at a real canteen. Band Leader Long. Sergeant Frye and 
Corporal Schttltz went us one better by discovering the combination to a good 
supper with apple pie trimmings. 

( )ctober 26th saw us leaving Cam]) ( )uest in motor trucks bound for Apre- 
mont. This trip was memorable, for it enabled us all to boast of being sub- 
jected to gas. If you have ever traveled in a Frog truck forced to run on low- 
gear most of the way and using a poor grade of petrol for fuel, you will appre- 
ciate the justice of our claim. The fumes that collected in those covered trucks 
put the K. ' ). on more than one of us, and the general average of health and 
spirits recalled days aboard the "Good Ship Nestor." 

We reached Apremont about two in the morning, cold, hungry, sleepy and 
blue. Nor was there anything in the bleak ruins of that village to lighten our 
spirits, so it was a disgusted bunch of soldiers that paired off to spread their 
blankets by the side of the road. But morning makes a lot of difference, especially 
if it brings a good breakfast with it. "Perc" and his fellow cooks rose nobly to 
the occasion and around the old Supply Company kitchen we rallied, met some 
of the boys who had become lost in the shuffle and almost decided that we were 
glad we came. 

It looked as if it was to be more than a one night stand. So. after rinding 
that the cellar which they "issued" us "wasn't what we wanted.'* we started out 
among the ruins in groups of two and three to make billets grow where none 
bad grown before. When every one finally had a home it was an all-day job to 
round up the Band for a concert or details. Guard-duty and hauling rations up 
trout took up part of our time, but our happiest hours were spent exploring the 
German dug-out-. Here was the apex of the famous St. Mihiel sector with 



108 THE LIAISON 

trenches running right through the town and Mount Sac at our very door. Each 
exploring hand man and every mule skinner and his helper can show you souve- 
nirs he policed up at Apremont. 

One of these exploring parties, composed of I lump Guthrie, Peckhorn 
Felton and Amos. i< fortunate that it did not come to grief for they discovered 
that a tin can they had been juggling was filled with nitroglycerine. Main- ex- 
plosives had been left by the Nun in bis hurried flight and every day was Fourth 
of July for the boys until an order bad to be issued against setting off "potato 
mashers" and other noise producers. 

A few fireworks, however, were put on in celebration of Hallowe'en and the 
Hand led a parade through the ruins. With no moon to guide us we stumbled 
in mud boles and oxer rocks, producing music that was wierd enough for any 
Hallowe'en celebration. As usual on "National holidays" Toughy Auld bad his 
cooks working overtime and that alone was enough to make the day a success. 

Warmed by stoves from the German dug-outs and with a captured mahogany 
chair, marble-topped table, mirror or bed-springs added nearly every day, our 
billets at Apremont were rapidly taking on a Fifth Avenue atmosphere, when on 
November i>tb orders came to move. It's always like that in this man's army — 
if you want to leave a place, just iix up your billets until you have something 
almost homelike, then you'll leave sure. 

This time after covering a goodly number of kilometers on foot and on 
friendly truck's, we found ourselves two kilos out of Heudicourt in a woods that 
was soon to receive the name of "Cootie Hollow." Aside from the fact that this 
was an appropriate name, our camp wasn't any worse than a lot of other billets 
bequeathed by the fleeing Nun. < >ne thing at least Heinie did to our advantage 
by locating our camp against the sheltering slope of a young mountain. The 
result was that after clearing the barrier. Jerrys shells were forced to clear us 
also, winning in protest as they continued on their journey toward Heudicourt. 

There came a day e'er long when those shells ceased to whine and an unac- 
customed stillness settled over camp and battlefield. It was "The Day" but not 
"her Tag" that the Hun bad sung and toasted these many years. It was the day 
he finally realized that shells nor men could avail against the spirit of America. 
thai spirit he bad so strangely left out of bis calculations. 

Tbe welcome news of that November Eleventh was carried out to cam]) by 
Manly and Alexander from Heudicourt. where they bad gone expecting to return 
with nothing more exciting than a blouse full of cigarettes and candy. They 
arrived at a quarter to eleven, while the guns were -till going strong, so strong 
in fact that bad our two newsbearers laid their bands on their pocket testaments 
and yelled "Feenish le guerre" above the roar of guns we would still have worn 
our "you can't fool me" look while remarking, "Just another rumor." But 
when, promptly at eleven, tbe barrage lifted to be laid no more our doubting air 
departed and our cheers tilled the woods that so recently had resounded to burst- 
ing shells. Furstenberg, the cook, with a whoop and a handspring fell to frying 
steaks, which is a habit of bis when something especially pleases him. Now. with 
visions of an early return to the Chicago police force, he let himself out to the 



THE LIAISON 109 

limit and produced a feed that would have turned old man Hoover blue in the 
face. After supper on this eventful day the Band led a procession over to the 
Evacuation Hospital nearby and put on a concert of jazz just to use up any re- 
maining energy. 

Two days later, we loaded up packs, kitchen, cooties and all and moved to 
Camp Mariaux, a rest camp, where we were doomed to rest until we were in 
danger of acquiring the chronic rest habit. Just to keep moving- we revived tin- 
practice of playing Reveille and Retreat. Five days after reaching this camp 
the Rand was transferred back to Headquarters Company. 

A soldier it seems has a way of sizing up an outfit by the kind of chow it 
gives him that is one reason, perhaps, why the Band holds a warm spot in its 
heart for the Supply Company. But just as lasting an impression was made, we 
believe, by the treatment received at the hands of the ofheers. by their appreciation 
of our smallest services and by the genuine good comradeship of every man in the 
company from Amos and Cy to Captain Hollenbeck himself. 

Drafted Into the 134th 

(Just before leaving Camp Sheridan for overseas, the 134th was brought up to war 
strength by additions from a draft camp. Again after the first withdrawals from the front 
lines another group of replacements from the draft was taken into the regiment. Be it 
said that these men have thoroughly proved their right to be called Yanks. In appreciation 
of this fact the editors sought something appropriate to add to the completeness of a 
Company History. This letter developed. It describes a typical drafted man's experience 
and is by one of them.) 

Somewhere in France, 

January. 1919. 
Dear Uncle : — 

In May. 191S, T received a very legal looking document informing me of my indict- 
ment by the grand jury of Local Board No. 27 of the County of X , stating that I 

was physically fit to stop a bullet and that I should make preparations for a trip to Colum- 
bus Barracks. Ohio, on the morning of June 1st. This document also stated that the local 
grand jury was composed of my friends and neighbors. As neighbors I can readily under- 
stand their desire for my absence but as friends I am off them for life. 

On the evening of May 31 we took the oath and were informed that from then on we 
would draw our pay and rations from Uncle Sam. On the morning of June 1st. after 
being tagged so that we would not go astray or loiter on the way. and being loaded down 
with comfort kits, sweaters, etc.. from the Red Cross, and some presents from relatives, 
we started on the first stage of our journey to make the world safe for the Democrat-, 
amid the blaring of bands, the farewells, cheers and well-wishes of the assembled multi- 
tude. ( >n the line of inarch to the station all of the saloons were closed to do us honor. The 
'•and- played nothing but ragtime but I never in all my life heard anything that sounded 
so much like a funeral dirge. At the station I chirped up a bit and began to wear a martial 
air. And who would not? It seemed that all the pretty girls in creation were assembled 
at that station and all were as free with their kisses and God-speeds as a mess-sergeant 
serving green beans. Red Cross workers and canteen workers, politicians big and little, 
relatives, friends and sweethearts and all making of each individual future EC. P. a hero. 
I he cheers as the train pulled out and until we were beyond the city limits, were deafening. 
There were 1,600 men on the train and of these I knew onh one and did not see him until 
after our arrival at Columbus. After walking through the train 1 finally found a vacant 



110 THE LIAISON 

seal and it was not verj long until I settled down to a much needed rest and was sunn 
asleep. I he trip was without incident other than the ordinary breakdowns, delays and 
other discomforts of the road. 

We were twenty-seven hours on tin. train and before the thirteenth we had the Boche 
licked to a frazzle and were ready to return home and take Up the peaceful pursuit of the 
almighty but elusive dollar once more. But it was no use to argue with that conductor. 
Backed up b\ a few soldiers, he emphatically insisted that we go all the way to Columbus. 
We did. We arrived at Columbus at 4:30 on Sunday, June 2nd. 

I guess the wires must have been crossed or else the} did not expect us so soon. 
knowing that we were coming in over the B. & O. Anyhow the .Mayor was not there to 
welcome us nor were there any brass hands or cheering throngs. Instead we were met 
by a very brisk and business-like group of regular army men who told us where we goi 
off, as if we were not aide to read the sign on the station and did not already know. 
They then marched us oft to the barracks. Then things began to happen with a rapidity 
which was startling and 1 am unable to chronicle them in the order of their sequence. We 
were relieved oi our baggage except what we would need in the next forty-eight hours. 
registered, received our barracks hags, blankets, bed-sacks, etc., assigned to billets, bathed 
and went through a score of stunts before supper, which would hardly seem possible in 
civil lite in such a short space of time. Believe me, what it takes to get action out of a 
bunch of green men those regular army guys are all broken out with and then some. When 
they spoke they looked for action on your part and the action had to he of the P. D. Q. 
variety without variations. 

Columbus Barracks at that time was one of the busiest places per acre in the universe. 
If old William Hohenzollern could have gotten a glimpse of the activity which was daily 
taking place there and had stopped to think of the hundreds of other such places scattered 
over tin' country all devoted to the same purpose of removing him as a trouble-maker, he 
could have saved a good many of his deluded followers hv crawling into some deep 
secluded h lie instead of looking for a place in the sun. 

About five o'clock we had supper. It was great and the vacancies behind our belts 
<oon disappeared. I think that a K. I'. at C. B. has about the hardest job in the army. 
They serve three meals daily and it takes three sittings per meal, in order that all men may 
he \v\. The mess hall will seat 1.5(H) at one time. The rattle and din made hv the handling 
oi many dishes, cups, saucers, knives, forks, and spoons, the shouts of the men and the 
waiters, the orders and commands of the supervising officers, the tram]), tramp of the 
men entering and leaving, all went to make up the most orderly chaotic confusion 1 ever 
witnessed. Supper over, most of us sent word home of our trip, safe arrival, etc. Then 
there was a band concert until { > :30, after which we retired for a much-needed rest. 

The next tew days were taken up with physical examinations, insurance, records. 
getting our clothing, receiving equipment and so forth. Then came the most dreaded part 
of all. being vaccinated and taking the first shot. Tin vaccination did not take and f 
survived the shot. The next daj we received our uniforms and the photographers of 
Columbus began to police a few wads of greenbacks. The embryo soldiers had their 
photos taken in every possible position and from every possible angle. A few days of 
watchful waiting and then we departed for ("amp Jackson, S. (_*.. arriving there on the 
morning of June 10. where for the next five weeks we were to witness that delightful 
corned) of errors, "Shavetails Making Good,'' and incidentally learn the rudiments of 
foot drill, dismounted polo, material, military courtesy, policing up. and other things too 
numerous to mention. 

\bout July 10th we were notified that we had passed the overseas examinations and on 
the evening of July 17 left for Camp Merritt, X. J., arriving there on the morning of 

July 1 ( >. While in Merritt 1 bad visions of a furlough and of parading in X all bv 

my lonesome dressed up in my new overseas uniform to the admiration of my relatives, 
friends and many pretty young ladies. My furlough began and ended in that vision. 



THE LIAISON 111 

Uncle Sam dispelled any ideas that we had in that direction when he ordered us to sail 
on July _M. 

We were awakened on that morning at 1:30 and hiked from Camp Merritt for what 
seemed innumerable miles in the darkness until finally we arrived at Alpine Landing, 

where we hoarded a ferry boat which took us to a dock in tioboken where we ascended 
the gang-plank to the deck of the good ship Tydeus. This being an English ship and 
England being our biggest ally, I don't feel at liberty to give my opinion of it. We passed 
the Statue of Liberty at 6:10 p. m. and on the morning of the 25th sailed into the harbor 
of Halifax. Left Halifax on the evening of the 27th and had a rather uneventful passage. 
We sighted no submarines and alter being on the ship for sixteen days we awoke one 
bright sunshiny day to find that we were steaming up the Thames surrounded b\ 
destroyers, sub-chasers and river craft of all kinds, each signalling a welcome while allied 
aircraft flew overhead and bli'me hit" we didn't land bin hold Lunnon. 

We left London at 6:30 p. m. in first-class passenger coaches in which had been placed 
messages for us all from the King, and arrived at Camp Woodley near Romsey at 11:30 
p. m. This was our first rest camp and after two days, in which we thoroughly policed 
it. we were all set for the bike to Southampton from where we were to cross to the 
"promised land" when an order came down that all who had crossed in the Tydeus were 
to be placed in quarantine at Camp Stanton, llnrsley, near Winchester. It was near 
Hurslev that the famous Lattle of Hastings was fought and where the ruins of Cromwell's 
castle still stand. We visited both places. While in this camp we received more intensive 
training. We had mutton three times a day for seven days a week (for the rest of the 
meals they served chicken). 

( hie day we visited Winchester and the Cathedral. I never experienced anything 
more thrilling than when in that massive edifice filled with Americans, soldier-, of the 
allied nations and people from all parts of the globe, the great organ burst forth with the 
sweetest music ever heard, "The Star-Spangled Banner." Every one. civilians and soldiers 
alike, snapped to attention and a thrill seemed to run through all. It was the first time 
that most of us had heard the National Anthem on foreign soil and it made us mighty 
glad and proud that we were Americans. We then visited the scene of the First Parlia- 
ment of England and we saw the Round Table at which King Arthur presided over his 
gallant knights. England is a beautiful and interesting country, but it does boil a fellow- 
out going through it on the hobnail express on a hot day. On September 4. after a long- 
hike from Camp Stanton, we left Southampton at SAO p. m. on the Queen Alexandra 
bound for Le Havre. France. 

That night on the boat will always remain a nightmare to me. The sea was calm but 
the discomforts of that passage were many and varied. We docked at Le Havre at 1:30 
a. m. on the 5th. At 7:00 we disembarked and walked uphill through the city for what 
seemed many miles in the hot sun until we came to our second rest ( ?) camp in Europe, 
where we spent the next two days. We left this camp about midnight September 7. 
Through darkness which the eye could not pierce, picking distance and direction by the sound 
of the hobnails of the man in front, for an hour we marched until we came to a railroad 
where we boarded box-cars, which were to be our homes until we arrived at Camp Hunt 
in the southern part of France. At Camp Hunt we recused gas masks and helmets, in- 
structed as to their use and received instruction on the 75s. 

On October 9. being fully equipped, rifles and all. we piled into box-cars. 42 to a 
car. and left Camp Hunt that night to join the 37th Division "up there." To say that we 
were packed in the cars like sardines would he an exaggeration. All the sardines that 1 
ever saw were in either mustard or oil but there was no room for either of those pre- 
servatives in those cars. We were on the train seven nights and six days. The train 
would travel in a circle until it got tired when it would shoot off at a tangent for awhile, 
then back on the circle again till the engineer would get dizzy when it would stop for a 
long rest. Sleep was out of the question. The only sleep we got was the sleep of exhaus- 



112 THE LIAISON 

tion and then we slept in all postures imaginable. There was more scrapping done on 
those box-cars than am one sector of the front during the entire war. ["hen it was 
that the good old American wit. humor and optimism came to the fore and saved the day. 

The cooties were in their element on those cars. 1 know they were German, for no 
American or French cootie would take such mean advantage of our cramped and crowded 
position as to bite us when we had no chance to move or scratch or fight hack. 

Water was so scarce that no one thought of using it to wash or shave. One night the 
engine was enjoying one of its frequent rest periods in the rain fifty kilos from everyplace 
when some one went along calling off the names of the men who were to get off. Almost 
seventy-five got off and pitched their shelter tents in the rain and darkness and we moved 
on into the night. Two days later we arrived at the same point and picked them up. Some- 
one had pulled a hone. They were nearly starved and freely expressed their opinion of 
thai some bod} in three languages — English, army and profane. 

At long and at last we detrained at Pagnv-snr-Mense. I do not know whether we 
had passed this point before or not in that delirious wandering over France. After two 
days spent in the woods along the railhead resting we started full-pack to join Hush's 
walking artillery at Millery. This was the hardest day I have put in since joining tin 
army. it was all uphill hiking. ( I have never hiked downhill since 1 have been in the 
service), and we made the first ten miles at a fair clip. After that it was hell. Whoever 
built that road must have run short of milestones from that point on. Anyhow from this 
point they were placed further and further apart until finally some kilos this side of Miller) 
they ran out of markers altogether and it was impossible to tell the length of that hike. 
We had no grub and very little water. I never felt so good in my life as when that night 
after a wash and a man-sized meal 1 was tucked between the sheets in the billet of the 
134th F. A. at Millery. 

The next morning we were hauled before Col. Bush, who after looking us over gave 
hi> opinion of ns which was not exactly complimentary, and he decided that we needed 
a bath. After a thorough policing up of our clothes and having shaved and taken a bath 
we felt human once more with a healthy human appetite which seemed never satisfied. 
Two days later I was assigned to Headquarters Company of the same regiment at Camp 
( >uest and have been with the outfit ever since. 

1 consider myself to have been very lucky to be placed with this company and 
organization. Their personnel and morale could not have been beaten. And I hereby 
notify the world at large and the Headquarters Company in particular that if at am 
time in the future any old Icing or country wants to tangle or go round and round with 
I'ncle Sam. my old Kelly will be in the squared circle with those of the boys of the old 
company and I will be on the first side-door Pullman that offers immediately on the 
receipt of the news of the reorganization of said company. 

Yours for the safety of all Democrats, 

Private A. I). Raftrookie, 

I Idqrs. Company, 134th F. A., 
(). K. Censored. Amer. Ex. Forces. 



I'. S. - 



( )U io AX'S. 

T knew them not in civil lite. 

Bui "there." 'tis truth to tell, 
I knew them when they fought like men. 

They gav e old I leinie hell. 
1 may be poor all of m\ life, 

Perchance may make a stake. 
But I'll e'er be proud that "there" 1 si I 

With the boys of the Buckeye State. 

A D. R. 



THE LIAISON 113 



HOSPITAL DAYS 

Geo. H. LUll. 

When I left Laimont, 1 didn't have very much of an idea as to where I was going. 
But after riding about ten years in a box-car, walking miles and miles through railroad 
yards, and taking another seemingly endless journey in an ambulance driven at top speed 
over roads rougher than I ever imagined roads could be 1 found myself in bed. Some- 
one in a blue uniform was trying to tell or ask me something that didn't interest me in 
the least. 

I found out later that I was in "Evacuation Hospital No. 51" at Jarville. a suburb of 
Nancy. After resting there the rest of the day and that night, 1 was again moved, this 
time to the Hospital Militaire in Nancy, where I found things much more endurable. At 
Jarville I found out how little 1 knew of French, when the various doctors and orderlies 
tried to find out all sorts of personal and intimate things about me and my trouble. But 
at the big hospital I was surprised and relieved to find two nurses of the American Red 
Cross on duty, taking care of the little group of sick Americans there. 

This was about the time the influenza epidemic was at its worst, and because the nearest 
American Base Hospitals were at Toul. those American soldiers who were taken sick in 
Nancy were sent to the French hospital. So, in order to avoid confusion and for the 
comfort of our men. the Red Cross sent out a pair of trained nurses who could speak 
French and at the same time understand us and our needs. 

From these nurses I found something about French hospitals in general and about 
this one in particular. It seems that a large military hospital is built by popular subscrip- 
tion in every department, and this one — the Hopital Militaire Seihllot — was one of the 
newest and largest in the country. It was built about a year or so before the war began 
and the best part <<\ it is that a large part of the money put in it was donated by ( iermans 
living in Nancy or other French-German towns. 

The hospital consists of six building's, each about 300 feet long and two stories high, 
all connected by an enclosed passage which starts at the main entrance and leads to a 
pretty little chapel in the rear. Besides these six buildings there are the laundry, kitchen, 
heating plant, store-houses, and everything that goes to make an extraordinarily complete 
unit. All the buildings are of pressed brick and stone, with red tile roofs, and a nice coat 
of ivy has started up the walls. The buildings are quite attractive and the charm of the 
place is greatly increased by the surrounding grounds, about twenty-five or thirty acres, 
as well kept as any park or lawn at home, with all kinds of native trees, shrubs and 
flowers. There are also very fine gravel walks and drives. The main buildings are 
divided by glass partitions into wards and private rooms. The rooms are large enough 
To accommodate two beds, two or three chairs and a table. 

In the end of one building there was a little .^rotip of Americans, about a dozen. 
occupying private rooms and using one of the ward rooms as a sort of lounge. It was a 
cosmopolitan and democratic group if there ever was one. The ranks ranged from Buck 
Private to Major, the latter being Major Schlegel of our own regiment. Nearly all branches 
of the service and several races were represented in that little family — Doughboys. Quarter- 
master Corps. General Headquarters, Flag-wavers and Wagon-soldiers. One of the nurses 
was from Ireland, the other from Australia, and we had several members of the 92nd 
Division (colored) present to add a little local color. One man. a chauffeur from 
1 >. II. Q., had been in the service for fifteen years and wore ribbons for service in the 
Philippines and Mexico, while another had been drafted only a couple of months before. 
\tter a week or so, when we were able to sit up and take notice, we became bettei 
acquainted and began to enjoy ourselves a little. The ones who caused the most amuse- 
nent did it unconsciously. The Irish nurse. Miss McCullough, was very plain spoken; 
she said what she thought very plainly and some of her remarks were rather pointed. ft 



114 THE LIAISON 

was great to hear her tell tin Medecin Chef just what was what when she thought that 

we wore not getting the proper attention, and to hear and see her ask some ] r French 

soldier what he wanted when lie came wandering down to bum a cigarette from us. She 
did not like them very well and would always have something to say about "those damn 
Frogs" when they had been properly snubbed and sent on their ways. She did not like 
their manners and customs, while Miss Picken, the other nurse, always spoke in their 
favor — just for the sake of argument, 1 think — and sometimes the discussion grew some- 
what heated. 

The most amusing one ai the hunch was a little colored hoy whom we knew as Collins. 
When he came to the hospital his clothing was taken from him to he fumigated, and 
through some mistake it was lost. So when he became able to he up and around again he 
gathered up several suits of pajamas and a pair of slippers — no one ever found out exactly 
where he got them. Me was a willing worker and the nurses drafted him into service as 
an orderly, to help serve the meals, wash dishes, make beds, and such light duties. I lis 
favorite expression on every occasion was. "Yes, Ma'am." Me used it regardless of whether 
he had been told to do something or told not to do it. One day he was told not to spil! 
any more soup than he could help and of course he answered. "Yes, Ma'am.'" Miss Mc- 
Cullough asked him. "For heaven's sake. Collins, can't you say anything but 'yes. ma'am'? 
Say 'no' just once." Said Collins with a grin clear across his face, "Yes, Ma'am. No." 

Me went by the name of Collins all the time and one day when the hospital officials 
wanted some more information for their records, one of the nurses asked him what his 
first name was. Me thought for a minute and then admitted that he did not know, hut 
-aid, "When ah was at home mah mammy called me Ellisworth Collins, hut since ah's 
been in the ahmy they calls me Collins Ellisworth." When asked how he liked it up on 
the lines he replied. "Man, that sho' is a' unhealthy place." 

Besides Collins there were three of us who were able to he up and we had an 
enjoyable time for a week or so, then our little family began to break up. There was the 
"old timer" and the man from the homing-pigeon detachment of the Signal Corps. When 
this S. C. man came in. the nurses tried to find out his name, hut he was too sick to have 
much of an idea what he was saving. All that could he understood was that he was a 
Sergeant, First Class, and that his home was in Philadelphia. Ever after that he was called, 
either Sergeant-First-Class or Pigeon, because Miss Picken said that he always seemed 
to be longing to get hack to his pets, and anyway Pigeon was easier to say than Sergeant- 
First-Class or Bopp. 

We got nothing hut a cup of coffee (the French kind) from the hospital for breakfast, 
so the nurses made cocoa for us. This was not much of a breakfast, so we seldom got 
up, hut enjoyed the nice soft beds until about nine o'clock, when we who were able to. 
got dressed and took a stroll out through the grounds until time for dinner. 

The 'wo regular meals seemed unusually good to one who had been used to corned 
willie and hard tack and had been living on soup for a cou] le of weeks. They were all about 
'lie same hut the only thing that we ever grew tired of was the vegetable soup which seemed 
to have been made the first day of the week and as it was dished out the pot was tilled with 
water and heated over and over again, so that in a few days it was pretty weak. The 
meat was always good, well cooked and plenty of it. Mashed potatoes were always served 
and some other vegetable, — cabbage, peas, or lentils. Bread, cheese and some really good 
wine made up the rest of the meal. 

All of that sounds rather expensive but when fond was being bought in large quan- 
tities it was considerably cheaper than retail prices. So was the expense >'i heating, light- 
ing and laundry. I was surprised to learn that it was being done for about \\w francs 
per dav per man. For this the C. S. paid ten francs per day for every American taken 
to the hospital. 

After dinner one dav tin- three of us — < )ld Timer, Pigeon and myself — went down to 
Nancy to see what we could see. We visited the Cinema and wandered all over the city. 
taking in tin- sights recommended by the nurses and the "Y" man. Then we went hack 



THE LIAISON 115 

by the "Y" where we bought our nightly supply of chocolate, cakes and cigarettes for 
ourselves and those who were- not well enough to go so tar awa\ from the hospital. 

Supper over, we sat up a short time in the big ward talking over the experiences of 
the day, and most every other subject imaginable. This was a short session, for all of us 
were tired out when we got back even though we did travel most of the way by trollej 
and what walking we did was very slow. 

One night was different, however, for then Heinie entertained us with a real honesl 
lo George Washington air raid. We were sitting in what we were pleased to call our 
parlor, just thinking of going to bed when two big sirens began to howl and all the 
bells in the city began to ring wildly, sounding the "Alerte" for a raid. The lights 
were put out and then we opened the windows to see what was going on. But we could 
not see enough, so some of us went outside and we were treated to a fine sight. About a 
dozen search-lights were playing their beams against the clouds, and here and there little 
flashes of light showed where the shells from the anti-aircraft battery were bursting. Then 
a big dare bomb was dropped which exploded and lit up everything around the hospital 
Shortly, with a great ripping crash, a bomb struck about three squares from the hospital. 
That was when Miss Picken and I worked out a wonderful scheme to gam both of 
us some notoriety. 1 was to be struck by a piece of shell, a brick or something, and she 
was to appl) a first-aid dressing under fire. Thus she would get at least a D. S C and 
a Croix de Guerre, and I would get a wound stripe. Hut the anti-aircraft batteries 
frightened the Boche away, and so our little plan did not materialize. 

The next morning I was evacuated as cured, and so ended a little vacation that was at 
once one oi the most pleasant ami most miserable times that I have had since coming tu 
France. Pleasant, on account of the rest and congenial companions, and unpleasant 
because when one has the flu one is a pretty sick sort of a patient. 

From Nancy I went to Toul. This time I travelled in something other than box-cars 
and being a little more comfortable, I was able to enjoy the scenery a little more. Arriving 
at loul I went to Base Hospital No. 51. passed through the receiving and pneumonia 
wards theoretically, ami finally landed in an evacuation ward. There 1 stayed for rive 
days waiting for enough men to get well to make a train load. 

It was there that I began to have some doubts as to where I would finally land I 
was constantly wondering where the outfit was. and just about bothered the life out of 
the hospital officers, at least I talked them out of patience trying to find out when I could 
be sent hack, finally a big bunch from all the hospitals in Toul was gathered together 
and sent to a classification camp at St. Dizier where I learned, to my dismay tint I was 
slated to hunt up the 37th Division. I knew that the regiment was not far from where 
I was ami that the division was away up in Flanders. So 1 had just made up ,m mind 
[° g0 A " W - °- L - t( ' Iook for the company myself, when I saw Major Schlegel who had 
left Nancy a week before I did. After unwinding yards and yards of army red-tape the 
.Major, Lt. Thomas and myself started out. 

From that time on it was easy, for a Major can give more prestige to a party than 
a Lieutenant or Colonel could ever dream of. ami as he knew Just where we were going 
it took only two days to get there-Vigneulles. There the sight of all the familiar faces 
the hearty greetings and congratulations from so many men whom I had learned to know 
and like so well, made that day one that will be remembered for a long time. 

Tin: A. P. < >. 

I have been asked to write about the workings and organization of the \ P 
I American Post ( >ffice) . of which the majority of the men in the A. P.. F. are ignorani 
. rh l e J 1 - P- E. S. < Military Postal Express Service) was established to get the mail 
from the base ports to distribute it to the V P.. P. 

The purpose of this orgaization is to receive from the en il postal authorities all mail 
arriving ,n France tor the A. P. P., distribute same and forward it to its destination. 1, is 



116 THE LIAISON 

responsible for the collection, dispatch and deliver} of all mail emanating from and destined 
for the A. E. F. Return mail is collected by the ML P. !•'.. S. and delivered to the civil 
postal authorities. 

Post offices in the Base and Intermediate Section, S. O. S., may be designated by the 
name of the city or town in which the) arc located. Post offices in the Advance Section. 
S. (). S., and the Zones of Advance, arc designated by a postal code number assigned 1>\ 
the Director of the M. P. E. S. 

In the Advance Section, S. 0. S., and in the /ones of Advance there are two kinds 
of code-numbered post offices — fixed and mobile. Fixed post officers are those permanent 
post offices which serve units and establishments in geographical areas. A. P. O. 705 
is the code number for Bordeaux and the number and place always remain the same. 
The post office at Camp de Souge was just an intermediate post office between Souge 
and A. P. O. 705 at Bordeaux. At Camp de Souge we had a little trouble in getting 
our mail properly because it was being dispatched to our division. 

"Little Local'" Llahartv came into prominence at Souge. A "Little Local" was his 
nsnal answer, and also mine, to all inquiries, which were "beaucoup," concerning the 
arrival of mail. Mere 1 might explain that local mail was all mail originating in the 
A. E. F. 

Mobile post offices are those organized within Armies, Corps and Divisions, from 
\rmy. Corps and Divisional troops. These offices move with the unit from which 
they are created, and their code number is the permanent postal address of all organiza- 
tions comprising, or that may he attached to that unit. The 37th Division mobile A. 1'. • >. 
number is 763. In some instances our mail has been sent to Division Headquarters 
because it was marked A. P. ( >. 763. 

It is erroneous to use A. P. 0. 763 as an address on our mail hecause we have been 
detached from the 57th Division. In our particular case it is wrong to use any A. I'. < >. 
number for we have never been in any one place long enough to use a number. 

Our first A. I'. ( ). number was 705 at Bordeaux, then 763 at Bar le Due. 766 at 
Marbache, Headquarters of the 92nd Division, 784 at Toul, 744 at Heudicourt, Head- 
quarters of the 28th Division, 750 at Cillers sur Meuse, Headquarters of the 33rd Division. 
After they moved we were left to do business at A. P. 0. 907 at Lar le Due. 

Mail arriving at Base ports is turned over to the M . !'. E. S. When clearly addressed 
it is forwarded direct to its destination, otherwise it is sent to the Central Post Office for 
sorting and re-direction. 

The Central Lost Office is a station for re-directing and forwarding all mail which 
can not be re-directed from other stations. The office has access to the records ol the 
Statistical Section, relative to the movements of troops and individuals. The Centra! 
Post Office is at present located at Bourges. It was formerly located at Tours. 

To help out the M. P. I ; - S-, a postal detachment is formed from the Division, 
consisting of one hirst or Second Lieutenant, two Sergeants, four Corporals and twentv 
privates. This detachment receives the mail from the rail head and makes such distribution 
as is necessary and is supposed to deliver the mail to all Regiments served by them. 
Attached to each postal detachment is a civil employee who has the power to write out 
money orders and to cash money orders. 

The M. P. E. S. has done its work wonderfully well here in the A. E. F. Now and 
then there were a few delays but when the mail did arrive all delays were forgotten. 
Ven little Maine can be placed on the M. P. E. S. because they were short of men and 
one must realize that at the time of the signing of the armistice, there were about two 
million men in the A. I'".. F. to serve. 

The service of mail was a privilege granted by General Pershing himself. In all 
former wars no mail was received or dispatched so we might thank our God that we 
ever received a letter. 

Ri -siii RooKSTOOL, Sgt. Postman 154 F. A. 



THE LIAISON 117 



"LE GUERRE FINIS" 



A Wail of the Cam p. 

CAMP MARIAUX, FRANCE, Januan 

1919, Honorable 

NEWTON 1). BAKER, Secretary of.. 

WAR, Washington, I). C, 

U. S. A.. Dear Sir: 

THERK are tilings we would much 

RATHER do than stand 

REVEILLE at 

SIX THIRTY in the 

MORNING and plough 

THRU eighteen inches of 

OOZY MUD uphill all the 

WAY to the 

MESS LINE just to 

GET our breakfast of 

RICE and SOWBELLY one 

MORNING 

VXD the next morning 

SOWBELLY and RICE 

WASHED down in either 

CASE with condensed 

B-lood P-oison, mis-called Coffee 

AND we would like to say also 

MISTER BAKER ' 

THAT this would he had 

ENOUGH without hiking 

EIGHTEEN KILOMETERS in 

MORE OOZY MUD and 

FURTHERMORE the novelty of 

BEING K. P 

BARRACKS orderly or kitchen 

GUARD has all 

WORX off and we are tired of 

GATHERING 

ROCKS to build 

FIRE PLACES and make paths... 

THRU the oozy 

MUD nor does 

THE IX D< )( )R SP( iRT 

' IF listening 

TO 

WILD RUMORS 

INTEREST us any longer 

MISTER BAKER, we have been 

( )VER here 

It )l\ seven months and 

DIDN'T mind it 

MUCH while the 

WAR was oii 

BUT 



118 THE LIAISON 

IF this is PEACE, 

WON'T you please start 

ANOTHER WAR? 

IT 

W< lULDN'T 

BE so bad but 

WE HEAR that the men 

( )VKR there are being 

DISCHARGED. So they can get 

UP when they get DAMN' 

GOOD and ready. Moreover 

THEY eat what 

THEY want for 

liRKAKF AST and 

We hear that they 

PARADE 

THRU town with overseas 

CAPS and service 

STRIPES which they 

NEVER EARNED 

\.\D at the military 

B \I.LS 

THEY take onr .n'irls and 

TRY to look like 

HER( IES 

\.\|) make the girls think that the.... 

( >NLY difference 

BETWEEN them and us is that 

Tl IKY didn't get to come 

OVER before the 

ARMISTICE 

Tl I EY have told it so 

OFTEN 

THAT they even believe it 

THEMSELVES, so now mister 

SECRETARY 

OF u ar we 

WANT T( > GO HOME 

\ \ I ) check the spread of 

TIMS EVIL propaganda 

S<> 

EVERYB( M)Y in the 

( )1.D IK )ME T( )WN will 

k.\< l\V who 

W< IN the WAR 

We are I" 1 iking to 

Y< tl ' ami ii \ • >n can help 

US we will THANK Y< >U 



( >h. Colonel! oh. Colonel! The truth I beg. 

When do we start for home? 
"As >< " 'ii as I eat this egg," he said, 
Like throwing a dog a hi me. 



THE LIAISON H9 

" ( ■ I morning. Have you any bouillon cubes for tbe Sgt. Major this morning?" 

Rex, do you remember the problem at Boncourt, "apres le guerre." when the doughbo) 
guard said. "Button up that raincoat and take your hands out of your pockets!" And 
"u said, "First chance I get. buddy." 

Goudy: "Say, fellers, I'll tell you just how it was now. Yuh see on the mornin' of 
the 'leventh of November, the Quartermaster Corps laid down a barrage, th' Military 
Puhleece went over the top, — and th' war wuz won." 

Tune: Battle II yum of tin- Republic. 
When we get hack from Germany, 

When we get hack from war; 
The National Guard can go to Hell, 

We'll re-enlist no more; 
Cut we'll take a hath and change our clothes, 

And by the Holy Lord! 
We'll jump into a jitney bus 

And vote for I lenrv Ford. 

Chorus. 

Damn, damn, damn the dirty Germans, 
Damn, damn, damn the dirty Huns; 

We will blow them all to Hell, with a high explosive shell; 
We're the hoys that stand behind the three-inch guns. 

HONEY IS A DELECTABLE ADDITION TO ARMY EATS. AT LF AST SO 
THOUGHT SLEFFEL MCQUAID AND SLIM HARLOR AT ST. GENEVIEVE WD 
IF YOU CAX'T BUY IT— TAKE IT. 

WHO WAS THAT RED-HEADED, SANDY-MUSTACHED, BURLY INDI- 
VIDUAL THAT TRIED To CLIMB THE WHOLE REGIMENT \T CW1P 
MARIAUX? 

Gaston: -Here is." "He-ar. Who go with me to Nancy?" "You dare to ask me 
another leave?" "Get out of the arm} as much as you can." "You shall see." "It is 
not possible, but — if you wish." 

I he "Radio" gang at Vigneulles will remember the phone call every mornin- at 2:00 
a. m. that brought a shivering, barefoot visitor from below. 

Clinton (entering "Y" in Recourt woods): "What's the matter with this place? Why 
haven't you got a fire?" 

Sheil : "< io build one." 

Clint: "Can't find any wood." 

Sheil: "Use some chips off your own block." 

Canfield: "USE YOUR HEAD, Sergeant." 

Marley. do you remember the night that Hale quieted your noise? 

S-speed : "Say, Kate, did you hear about Simpson?" 

Latter: "No. What did he do?" 

S-speed: "He taken the .iaw bone of an ass and killed forty thousand Philadelphians." 



120 



THE LIAISON 



To Ah Soldier Boy. 
I'm feeling prettj worried over all the things I hear, 

Of tilt' shrapnel and the cannon that are roaring 'round you. dear; 

( )f the Zeppelins and airplanes and the snaky submarine, 

But the worst of all the things I feel, that nearly turns me green, 

Is the fear of all the damsels you'll he meeting over there — 

The Parisian and the Belgian maids with their fascinating air; 

So be a loyal lover, don't forsake the girl back home; 

Xo matter how they smile at you, don't let your fancy roam. 

For the French girls are so pretty, and the nurses are so kind. 
But do not lie a traitor to the girl you left behind. 

I know that you are loyal to the old Red. White and Blue, 

\nd I hope that you are loyal to your little sweetheart, too. 

Against the Huns they spell with "U" you'll hold your own, I know. 
But I fear you may he ambushed by the hons they spell with *'o." 
Stand guard against temptation, don't surrender to their charms. 
-And wait 'till you come hack to me before presenting arms. 

Leave the French girls to the French men, and the nurses to tin- Hoes, 
I'm the Soldier Boy in Khaki is for the girl who knits his socks. 
Though the French girls may he pretty, the nurses may he kind. 
Oh, do not he a traitor to the girl you left behind. 

By "Somebody's" Girl. 

Reflections. 

Cdrn Willie the First: "Mow main cans per man?" "Any mail. I lank:" "A little 



"We thank you very much. Major." "Oh! That's all right, don't mention it. It is 
just ni\ little Christmas gift to you." 

Okey: "Doc, get me the gomiometer ; I want to locate myself.'' 
Chinnis: "What's the matter with the mail' It never was so late before." 
Rex: "Good, I'm glad." "ONE Saturday night." "Whew! Ain't it warm I" "Oh, 
gosh! Oh. jolly!" "I >i . you know anything about a hay-wagon?" "Was you ever in 
Pittsburgh?" "Say. Speed, are you a kitchen police?" 

101 kan.h, Recourt Barracks: "Who do we want for Mayor?" " — — ." "Three 

rousing cheers from the angry- mob." "Oh, - — ! Oh, - — !! Oh, — — ! ! !" 
XjHar-l! Ranch. Recourt Barracks: 
Pay-daj nighl ! V G 1 ! ! 

i e a B i k S-E-V-E-N-D-A-Y-S!!! 
n r n 

Dan VVooten : "Mow man) seconds in that line thar?" 

Schmitty : "Jungle-Buzzers, fall in." 

Pinkie: "Mid you'ens fellows gel enuf to eat?" 

Mop: "Who's got a magazine to trade?" 

Moft\ : "Are there any dugouts around here?" 

W almsley : "Now, when I was in the Navy. 

Mritt : "Hoi' tin artiU'rv. inf'ry tuinin'." 
Seccombe : " Vin't she a dandy." 
Abbott: "Where do yuh get that stuff?" 
Pop Spinner: "The war's over, 1>\ tjum." 



THE LIAISON 1_M 

Barber Alack: "Shave and a haircut, five francs." 

Ringling: '"Now. my contract says I post bills for the Greatest Show on Earth." 

Peckhorn : '"has isl verboten." 

.Hi/: "kin you imagine that?" 

Abie Whalen, the Crown Prince. 

Appleman: "I'm just a kid trying to get along." "I'll see that you get out of the 
army for that." '•How do we stand?" 
\nd John Mack was gassed. 

\\ iiit ■ "That ain't no trouble hardly." 

Barrett: "That's what you want for speed." 

Bobbie Myers: "Aw, fer th' love o' Mike. Serg., I was just on a detail." 

Speed: "Dan Wooten plumb ruint me." "Pursian, what'd you want tu' run 'way t'runi 
me for?" I wa'nt scared when them big shells cum over, you tell 'em that. Sergeant." 

"W'hy'uh, Napoleon, Napoleon!" 

The Bird Club: The Eagle— Friel; Buzzard— Jones : Crow— Borden ; Sparrow— Wal- 
ker; Dove— Schmitt ; Wren— Senn; Jay— Count; Peacock— Moore ; Owl— Burton. 

A. K. F. Motor Schools. 

During the latter part of the third week in August. 1918, 1 was called into the 
Regimental office by Capt. Babbitt, and asked it I would like to attend a school in 
motor mechanics and advised that if I so desired 1 would he given the opportunity. 1 
decided that I would like to go, and my name was submitted. After it had passed 
through a course of Army Red Tape, a memorandum came through ordering me. together 
with some other men of the 62nd F. A. Brigade, to the American Section of the French 
Motor School at Cam)) Sathonay, near Lyon. 

We left Camp de Souge on the 29th of August, going by motor truck to Bordeaux. 
Mere we entrained at the Midi Station for Lyon, passing through the cities of Augouleme! 
Poitiers. Clermont-Fer and Roanne enroute. 

We arrived in Lyon on September 1st and were conveyed to the camp about three kiols 
Horn the city. Here we were quartered in large, wooden barracks, fitted with electric 
lights, wooden floors, comfortable hunks, and other camp conveniences hitherto unfound 
in France. 

The school opened on the 5th with a student body cf about five hundred men. The 
first week was nothing more than a classification of the men. according to their respective 
merits, knowledge of motors and abilities. Experts were assigned immediatelj as in- 
structors. 

On the second week school opened in earnest. Fifteen men were assigned to a 
class to have a week's instruction on one particular make of motor. We were a prett\ 
sick hunch when we saw the motors that we had to work on. They were old French cars. 
that had been sadly abused on the front. There wasn't a Dean spot on them, everything 
about them was covered with mud. grease and rust, and all in all presented a ven 
uninviting appearance. There was everything there from motorcycles to caterpillar 
tractors. The only "American Made" motor to he seen in the bunch was the world 
rem iwned "I lenry." 

The ones that were assigned to the caterpillar section were made separate from the 
rest of the school, and devoted their time to caterpillars only. The rest of the class 
received a certain number if days training from "Henry's" motor to the heavy Renault 
Quad. 

I was made a Sergeant instructor, and detailed to teach the driving and operation of 
'he heavy Renault Quail. 

The cam]) mess was carried on by the French and consisted entirely of Frog rations. 
One thing you could always he sure of and that was soup and carrots. But the camp 



122 T H E L I A I S O N 

restrictions wore verj lenient, and we were allowed the privilege of Lyon, where there 
was "beaucoup" everything in the line of eats, and all other lines too as far as that goes. 

Lyon is the second largesl city in France, and in m\ opinion, in comparing it with 
other cities I have visited, it has it over the rest like a tent, not even eliminating Paris. 
Believe me. she is some village. 

At the end of the first school, which was of five weeks' duration, forty-eight of us 
were retained as instructors and remained as such through three successive schools. 
The instructors had things pretty soft, being billeted apart from the students, having their 
own mes> and other comforts not enjoyed by the student body. During this period 1 
was detailed as chauffeur to the camp commander and took main extensive trips as 
such, visiting parts and cities of France, both new and interesting to me. and which I 
could not otherwise have seen. 

Among the cities i visited, the principal ones were Paris. Marseilles. Vignon, Valence, 
Nevers, Besancon and Dijon. Of all the places of interest to he seen in the different 
cities, the ones that impressed me most were the Art Galleries of Paris and Marseilles 
and the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Lyon. 

In my particular billet we had a clique known as the "Bottle Club," the members 
five in number, all hailed from the 62nd F. A. Brigade We had a little get together 
every night. The chief form of entertainment was America's most popular indoor sport, 
•he "Old Army (lame," probably more widely known as poker. We frequently enter- 
tained and were entertained 1>\ the Yin Sisters and some of their numerous relatives. 

The school closed on the 14th of December, the signing of the armistice making it 
unnecessary for it to continue. The instructors were ordered to the American Motor 
School at l.e Plane. Here I was placed in charge of the motorcycle section of the 
school. 1 had quite a large class, with about fifty machines, Harley-Davidsons and 
Indians, for them to work on. This school came to a close for the same reason as the 
other one. on the _'4th of November. Practically all of the students were returned to 
their respective organizations, the remaining ones, together with some of the instructors, 
were sent to the Army of Occupation. The rest of us were sent, as casuals, to Camp I htm. 

Camp limit, outside of being the largest casual camp in France, is also the original 
Frog Pond of that country. It is situated about fifty kilos southwest of Bordeaux, within 
thirty minutes' walk of Argachon, the Atlantic City of France. Our chief occupation in 
this camp was policing up an old artillery range, and carrying in enough wood to keep 
warm, and enable the cooks to kick out our chow. We spent our leave time in Bordeaux, 
Argachon ami other towns about camp. 

From the 2Sth of December until the Kith of January, I was a thorn in the side of the 
Camp Personnel Officer. I dogged his steps, badgered, pleaded and threatened him 
(this last, however, was in a very subdued voice) till he saw things in the light 1 wished 
him to. namely, sending me hack to my old outfit. Me finally issued the order and 1 
started out to find said organization, which, as later events proved, was no light under- 
taking. J began to lose hope of ever finding it. and to fear that "lleinie" had erased them 
from the Rolls of the A. P.. F. Put after doing a Sherlock Holmes all over the area 
in which they were supposed to he located. 1 found them secreted in a camp in the woods, 
tar from the "Habitat of the Fair Demoiselles," and was sure one glad soldier in the 
finding. 

M. A. Ringo. 



THE LIAISON 



123 



Artillery Song. 

When you're lying in the ram. 

With a shrapnel in your brain; 
I lien you'll never sec your sweetheart any more 

When you've lost your old first section 

And the I Inns have your deflection, 
I lien you'll never see your .mm crew any more. 

Chorus. 
When the guns are roaring yonder. 
When the guns are roaring yonder. 
When the guns are roaring yonder. 
When the guns are roaring yonder. 
I'll he there. 



When the shells are Hying by, 
Just like raindrops from the sky ; 
Then you'll never see your sweetheart am more 
When your ammunition train 
U Shot to Hell and back again. 
Then you'll never see your caisson, any more. 

Chorus. 

When the red spot on your jacket. 

Shows that lleinie's got your bracket, 
Then you'll never see your sweetheart any more 

When the guns which roar like thunder, 

Shoot your old wheel team from tinder; 
Then you'll never see your drivers am more. 



Chorus. 



When your gas mask isn't working, 

Where the mustard gas is lurking. 
I lien you'll never need your gas mask any more. 

When two-tens are flying by, 

Just like rain down from the sky. 
I'heii you'll never see your sweetheart any more. 

( 'horus. 

When you've fought a long, long time. 

And passed the old Hindenburg line; 
'Mien you're sure to see your sweetheart once again. 

When the Stars and Stripes are flying 

From the Linden in Berlin, 
I lien you're sure to see your sweetheart once again. 

Chorus. 



124 THE LIAISON 



HOMEWARD BOUND 

Our Touch With Auxiliary Organizations of the A. E. I'. 

Not until the combined forces of France, England and Belgium's "contemptible" 
armies had defeated the trained and well equipped forces of Kaiser Wilhelm in tin- firsl 
battle of the Marne and then held them against great odds in the mud of Flanders did the 

Allied leaders realize the significance of Napoleon's statement when he said. "Morale 
is to other factors in war as three t<> one." Being outnumbered both in men and guns 
the forces opposing the Germans were due for a defeat if the morale or fighting spirit 
of the men was lost. 

With this fact before them the homes throughout the Allied countries were anxious 
to give all comfort and aid possible to the soldiers. Time was not so long ago when neither 
the suffering bodies nor the harrassed and weary minds of men were provided for in a 
nation's plans for war. But with the bloodiest and fiercest war of historj facing the 
world something had to be done to relieve the suffering and strain of battle if right 
was to be victorious. 

It was a great challenge that was thrown out to the thousands of loyal people who 
were determined that democracy and freedom would live and autocracy go. Gladlj the 
challenge was answered and through the Red Cross and Y. M. C. A. help was sent to the 
fighting men in France and England long before the U. S. took her place on the battle 
line. But as soon as war was declared the opportunity was increased and the two 
organizations that had started the work were joined by the EC. of C. Salvation Army 
and Jewish Welfare League. Their held for service was the whole world for the Allied 
forces were on even battle front from Palestine to Flanders, in hundreds of training 
camps throughout America. England and Belgium, France and Italy, on the high seas, 
m the hospitals and prison camps. 

The task facing tin- different organizations was far greater than am of us realize 
lor thc.v were unable to get enough workers and in some cases were compelled to accept 
men and w mien who were not capable of carrying on the true spirit of the work among 
tin' soldiers. With all classes of people to serve it was impossible to satisfy each and 
everj oik-. But in spite of many drawbacks and hardships their work reached even 
soldier in service and helped to keep him satisfied as far as possible. 

i hir company is one among thousands that took part in the greatest of all wars, and 
as we look over the long trail that lead from home through the training camps and 
then to the field of honor we have been verv fortunate. Every organization has helped us 
and made our annv life far more pleasant than it would have been should thev have 
never taken up the work'. 

For the majority of Headquarters men ('amp Sheridan was the place where they 
received an introduction to the many discouraging and trying experiences of army life. 
It was also there that many fellows came in contact with some of the auxiliary organiza- 
tions that were playing such a great part in the army camps. Many had never known 
what it was to give up the comforts of the home and the companionship of friends. As 
I he monotom of camp life came on there was an increasing demand for entertainment ami 
lor a real friend. Both were found in 'A' I hit \ r O. 5')" where Paul Xollcn. a broad- 
minded secretary, was thinking of the welfare of every soldier. Mis untiring and unselfish 
efforts won the respect of the men who entered the onl\ place thev could call home. The 
l\. of I", hall on the corner also welcomed ever) man in uniform and stood ready to play 
a big part with the other organizations. It is unnecessary to speak of the work of the 
V .M. C. A.. I\. hi ( '.. and Red Cross in Camp Sheridan for everyone knows that they 
played a great part in keeping the nun contented and entertained, 

Being anxious to move, even man was happv to -tar! for the coast hut not so anxious 
to leave our homes and country. Our journev from Montgomery to New York will 



T H E L I A I S O N 125 

never be forgotten because the Red Cross chapters all along the way had their repre- 
sentatives at the stations to serve the men and bid them good-bye. It helped even 
soldier t<> reali/e that the people were backing ns and soon we became a part of the great 
Nation that was in the war to fight for right and win. 

The kindness of every Red Cross worker reminded us of our homes and they were 
there to represent our mothers, sisters, and sweethearts to say good-bye and make us 
feel that they were proud of us because we were doing our duty. 

While waiting in Camp Upton tor sailing orders the different organizations enter- 
tained all the soldiers and helped them to he contented. When we finally received the 
command to climb the gang-plank the Red Cross was there to hid us a last farewell. Our 
voyage across the sea was very tiresome and without the many hooks and games furnished 
by the two Y. M. C. A. men wdio accompanied us our trip would have more unpleasant. 

In each rest camp in England that we passed through the V. M. C. A. and K. of C. 
had their workers who welcomed the men and tried to serve the great crowds with their 
small supply. But every act of kindness was appreciated, for that was the time when a 
"felier needed a friend." 

Our first box-car ride from Le Havre to Bordeaux was far from pleasant and the 
only aid we received was from the Red Cross when they gave us hot coffee. Then came 
Camp de Souge with dry, hot days and sand. But the Y. M. C. A. helped to break the 
monotom with movies and entertainments, and gave us a place to go where we could write 
and spend our time much hetter than in our barracks. 

While the soldiers were training in the various camps it was not vers difficult lor the 
Y. AI. C. A. ami K. of C. to serve them in their huts hut after they were . >r« 1 _- .• ■ 1 to 
the front it was impossible for any organization to serve all the men in the way that 1 1 ; < • \ 
had hack of the lines when they were all in a group. 

Unfortunately we saw very little of the representatives from any of the auxilian 
organizations during our period on the front. At St. Genevieve there was a Y. M. ( '. \. 
but the majority of men in the Battalion Detachments were unable to leave their work long 
enough to receive any of the help or service. While at Vignuelles the Y. M. C. A.. K. of ( '.. 
and Salvation Army each did a little for the men hut their supplies were so limited that they 
were unable to do all they wished. The K. of C. passed along the line and .nave the men 
some cigarettes, gum and chocolate. Five Y. M. C. A. workers gave an entertainment in 
a barn at Hassavant Farm which did all the Doughboys and Artillerymen more good than 
anything they could have done. At St. Benoit a number of men from the Second Battalion 
Detachment were able to get doughnuts and cakes from a Salvation Army worker. 

While some men were helped by the three organizations mentioned, others were 
quartered in different places and were left out entirely. The same was true all along the 
front and at times when we were left without any help some other regiment or compam 
was being helped. 

But the time that we needed the work of one of the Y. M. C. A. and 1\. of C. workers 
was during our stay at Camp Mariaux after the signing of the armistice. With no 
entertainment, reading material or recreation we realized how much the different organiza- 
tions had meant to us during our periods of training. \fter three or four weeks of 
waiting, Mr. Colby, a Y. M. C. A. secretary, came to our rescue and did all he was 
permitted to do. lie was able to get a few hooks, magazines and canteen supplies. If 
he had been given full charge the men could have had hetter service hut even as it was 
everyone was \-er\ thankful for what he did to help break the monotom of the life on the 
hill-side. 

We wen all very happv when orders came to leave Camp Mariaux but no one was 
anxious for another box-car ride. Without the kindness of the \<n\ Cross during our long 
journey t. he Lion d'Angers the ride would have been very unpleasant had it not 



126 THE LIAISON 

for the fact that we could look forward to the Red Cross service along the way. Mr. 
Stimpson, one of our secretaries from "Y" 59 at Sheridan, was waiting for us at Le Lion 
with hot chocolate, cakes and a glad welcome. It seemed like old times to have him with 
us again and all the time we were there he and the Y. ML C. A. ladies gave us the besl 
service possible. 

\iter going to Brest we saw the splendid work being done there 1>\ the Red Cross, 
V, Ai. C. A., and K. of C. for the thousands of men passing through that great camp. 
Every day the buildings were packed with soldiers. 

But the greatest day of all was when we marched up the gang-plank again and knew 
that we were really on our way home. As usual the Red Cross was there to wish us a 
"lx>n voyage." Their presents were very much appreciated the same as their welcome at 
Newport News. 

Now that we are all hack home again, well and happy, there are main memories that 
will always mean much to us. Each one has his likes and dislikes but there isn't one who 
can say that he hasn't received more from the auxiliary organizations than he ever put 
into them. To them every soldier in the American and Allied armies is indebted for the 
aid and encouragement given during the greatest period of our lives. 

I. el US he big enough to overlook their mistakes and show our appreciation the same 
as we expect those at home to forget the unhappj things of the past and remember the 
fact that we all have served. 



The Oi.u Max. 

1 le's a -ruff We like 

"Old Cuss." Him 

Roars like Because 

\ young volcano We have found. 

On all occasions — That under 

In the field, All the gruffness, 

In the office. There is a 

At inspections. Great big heart 

BUT, In 

The 134th is a "OUR OLD MAX. 
"Topm itcher. " 



Tin Fr ii . 

'flie Froggie lives in "la belle Frawnce," The Frog is famed throughout tin- world 

That place of sun and flowers. For hospitality, 

flu- scenic beautv of his land For "Liberte," "Egalite," 

1 )elie- the poet's powers. And hoii " f'ratcrnite." 

The climate of our health resorts So when the Yankees came to hght 

Is not a circumstance, for world's democracy. 

Compared to what the Frog enjoys The fro- threw out his open arms 

In his beloved France. And shouted "Nos amis": 

Ah. wee. it rains some even day, Our flag he waved, our prais< he sang 

To he exact it pours ; In terms that sounded fine. 

And in the mud of "sunny Frawnce" And then, to further show his love — 

Our Froggie hunts wild boars. Me raised the price of wine. 



T H E L I A I S O N 127 

The Frog said "Make' yourselves at home, But hand it to the Frog we must. 

For you naught is too good, For deeds of bravery. 

Expressly for your comforts we Four years he fought against the yoke 

Have billets in the wood. Of German slavery. 

There arc no cities close at hand He raved and cried and tore his hair, 

To lure your men astray, Pulled down his helmet well, 

Our village folk will treat you well Screwed up his manly courage and 

And help you spend your nay." Went out to give 'em hell. 

The Frog now said, in anxious voice, Then as the bullets whistled and 

"One favor if you please. Upon his tin hat heat 

Don't damage any property A friendly dug-out caught his e\ e— 

And don't cut down our trees.' - And in he went "tout suite." 

They finally signed the armistice. 

And made the Froggie quit. 
He put away his length} gat 

For he had done his hit. 
Quite so, ni they had him mustered out 

And he was free to roam. 
He piled a hunch of ruins up 

And built himself a home. 
We don't mind waiting here in Krawnce 

Until we lose our hair, 
What gets our goat is that old Frog 

With his "Feeneesh la Guerre"! 

D. V. 

Hail! Hail! The I'»eei:'s All Gone. 

They've voted old ( )hio dry. 
Hut 1 don't give a d — n, 

As I haven't had a real good drink- 
Since I signed with Uncle Sam. 

All we can get here is sour grape juice. 

And the Vin Blink they sell us is rotten; 
While the g 1 old beer of the U. S. A. 

Is gone lint not forgotten. 

I don't think they treated us fellows quite right 

When the voted the old State dry, 
While we were up front giving old lleinie hell 
And trying our best not to die. 

Xow they've boosted the price of all the soft drinks. 

Of root-beer and sodas. I hear; 
They can boost them sky high, hut until 1 die 

I'll always want for a good glass of beer. 

If the people who voted < >hio dry 

I lad only stopped to think. 
That the hoys who went through this hell of war 
Would maybe some day want a drink! 

Slip vnd - - 



128 T H E L I A I S O N 

An American Ckeed. 

I believe in the United States of America as a government 
by the people — tor the people; whose just powers are derived from 
the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a 
sovereign Nation of many States: a perfect union and one in- 
separable; established upon these principles of freedom, equality, 
justice and humanit) for which American patriots sacrificed their 
lives and fortunes. 

1. therefore, believe that it is my duty to my country to lost- 
it; to support its Constitution; to ol>e\ its laws; to respect its 
flag and to defend it against all enemies. 

II. C. Coxe, Delegate to France. 



Ml/STEKEII Ol'T. 

I dream and in my dream I see I dream and in my dream I set 

A ship that sails the ocean free. A discharge paper handed me. 

And on its decks are smiling men And with a dizzy whirling brain 

With faces toward the West again. I get aboard a home-bound train. 

I dream and in my dream 1 \ iew I dream and in my fancy roam 
A gay and flag-decked avenue, The old familiar haunts of home, 
While throngs of people long the side I revel in civilian charms 
Give cheers for old Ohio's pride. And hold a sweetheart in my arm- 
Tin: Editor's Quilj . 

This little hook we hand to you 

Of what Headquarters has been through. 

Midnight oil the editors burned, 

And hope that now your thanks they've earned. 

A few mistakes they may have made 

Of towns, or dates, of some parade; 

They've worked to make our hook bring fame 

To Buckeyes true — so save your blame. 

And not alone the editors 

Nave written all the frills and fur's - 

( )fficers and enlisted men 

Nave helped us with a wicked pen. 

A ston here, perhaps a verse. 

And much was tine and some was — worse ! 

If there was room for yours or not. 

We thank you for you've helped a lot. 

Forgive us if von find a slip — 

Some town that should have been a ship, 

Or wronglj named some place where we 

I hrew terror inti i < iermany ; 
Read on and pass it with a smile. 

\nd tell yourself, "The book's worth while." 
\'ow. thanking one and all, we're through, 
It's time to grab our armv stew. 



THE LIAISON 129 



HOMEWARD BOUND 

\iid now it's all over. The Great Experience is about to conic to a mosl 
glorious conclusion. We, as Americans, volunteered in the service of our Coun- 
try when the call came. Throughout those days of training" at Cam]) Sheridan 
and later at Cam]) de Souge, our minds were filled with a single thought, a single 
purpose — preparing ourselves to do our Hit in winning the war. While on the 
front, we went through experiences which should have a broadening effect on our 
natures and an ennobling effect on our minds. No man will leave the service 
without feeling kindlier toward his fellow man. without knowing better, the value 
of Ids life, given to him to do with as he maw It remains to us, therefore, to so 
mould our lives that we may continue to do our Kit in Civil life, profiting by our 
broadened views. Although the war has been won and Democracy has triumphed, 
there are many problems of great import which will present themselves for years 
to conic. We citizens will have to solve these problems just as efficiently, just 
a- determinedly, as. while soldiers, we solved the German riddle. And. as in the 
days of our war training, so now, we must prepare ourselves for the task. When 
we return to our respective posts in Civil life, every man should keep in constant 
touch with civic affairs and. by his vote, see to it that those principles for which 
lie fought, prevail and govern the destinies of our Country. Your preparation 
for taking part, will, however, not he in the form of carrying out weekly drill 
schedules, as in the war days. x » on will have to decide these civic questions for 
yourself and your main source of knowledge will he the newspapers and the maga- 
zines. Every man will he his own instructor, his own pupil, and e\er\ thing will 
be up to him. Give the questions which may arise, the fullest possible considera- 
tion, look at them impartially, if you can. from every angle and then, after von 
have made your decision, act. That will he doing your duty to your native land. 
only continuing the work' that you have iu-t completed, fighting, tooth and nail, 
for Right, lustice. Home and Countrv. 



FINIS 



SECTION IV 



Directory 



MILITARY RECORDS AND HOME ADDRESSES 

HARRY C. ABBOTT, Utica, N. Y. 

Private 1st Class, appointed October 23, 1918. Enlisted lub 15, 1917 at Ucron () 
LOUIS H. ACKERMAN, Fredericktown, Ohio. 

Enlisted July 21. 1917. at Mt. Vernon, ( ).. in Batten E, 1st O. F. A. Appointed 
Corporal per R. S. O. 67. December 3, 1918. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S () 24, 
March 1. 1918. Appointed Sergeant per R. S. < ). 58, Mav 1 1918 
ROSS (i. ALEXANDER, R. D. No. 2. Glenmont O 

Enlisted July 17. 1917. at Akron. ( ). Appointed Musician 3rd Class, September 11. 
1917. rransferred to Battery li. 134th F. A.. May 4. 1918. Transferred to Hqs Co 
August 1. 1918. Appointed .Musician 3rd Class. August 2. 1918 
FOHN A. AMES, Piermont, X. II. 

Inducted into service May 31. 1918, a, Woodville, X. II.. and assigned to || (| Co 7th 
t*n F. A. R. 1).. Camp Jackson. S. C. June 29. 1918. [oined Hqs. Co. 134th F \ 
at Millery, 1- ranee. October 15, 1918. 
JOSEPH D. ANDERSON, 631 E. 127th St.. Cleveland, 

Enlisted July X, 1916. in Ohio Signal Corps. Transferred to 47th Co 156th D B 
Camp Jackson, S. C. May IS. 1918. Transferred to 7th Reg., F A R D lulv 1918' 
Joined Hqs. Co.. 134th F. A., October, 1918. ' "' 

JOSEPH D. APPLEMAX. 741 Hillsdale Ave.. Akron. O. 

Enlisted July 15. 1917, at Akron. (). 
JOHN F. ASHLEY, Bentonville, Ark. 

Enlisted May 19. 1917. at Camp Perry. O.. in Battery B, 1st 0. F. A. Transferred to 
Hqs. Co. per R. S. 0. 125. October 25, 1918. 
FORI) W. BARRETT, 41 Highland Ave. \kr,,n <) 

Kn,i .r' "'TV" 1 " 1 "' ^ Akr °"' °- ln Batte>ri B ' °" '•'■ A " Transferred to Hqs. Co 

per R. S. (). 2X September 14. 1917. ami appointed Courier 

WILLIAM ED. HASH. Roseville. (). 

Enlisted July 13. 1917, a, Akron. ( ,. Was appointed Corporal per R. S. 0. 47, October 

GARRISON I.. BEACHY, so; R, x \ Vl , X . K .. Canton () 

Enlisted ^ July 15. 1917, at Akron. ( ). Was appointed Corporal per R. S. 0. 2X Septem- 
l>er Z3, 1917. 

MOSES BECKENSTEIN, 1622 Washington St.. Charleston W Va 

Enlisted in Hqs. Co. at Akron, 0. Transferred to 62nd F \ Brigade Hqs 
EDWIN I.. HELL. Box 473. Toledo, O. 

l! ldUCte T d ; ,,, " s f v l ce :it ToIed °- O., July 24, 1918. Assigned to 156th Depot Brigade 
Camp Jackson, s. Q Joined Hqs. Co. at Millerv. France, October 15 1'". 
GEORGE W. BENNETT, 727 S. 63rd St.. Philadelphia La 

Enhsted November 4, 1917, a, Columbus Barracks, ( ).. an,, assigned to Batterv C. 

R S n m 11 TT \ Ak - N ° vember '■ 1917 ' Transferred to Hqs. Co.' per 
R. -V 0. 60, Maj 4. 1918. Appointed Private 1m Class August 1. 1918. 



134 THE LIAISON 

STEPHEN N. BERARDI, 4005 E. 86th St., Cleveland, o. 

Enlisted September 4. I'M 7, at Silver Lake. 0. Appointed Private 1 >t Class Augusl 1. 

1918. 
HAROLD P. BERRY, 123 Oxford Ave., Dayton, O. 

Enlisted in Battery D, 134th F. A., at Dayton, ( >. Transferred to ll<|s. Co. at Camp 

Marianx. France. Appointed Corporal in Battery 1). 
BRADFORD V. BEVIER, 98 12th St., Columbus, < ). 

Enlisted in 1st (). F. A. for service at the Mexican border. Appointed Sergeant. 

Appointed to Sannnir Artillery Training School for Officers while in France. 
JOHN W. BIDWELL, 509 N. Iowa Ave., Washington, Iowa. 

Enlisted April 8, 1918, in A. M. T. D., New York University. Transferred to 10th Tr. 

I'.n., F. A. R. 1).. June 12, 1918. Appointed Sergeant July 8, 1918, per S. O. 29, Hqs. 

4th Reg., 2nd Brig., F. A. R. D. Joined Hqs. Co., 134th F. A. 
WILLIAM M. BIGGIE, 208 Baird Axe.. Barberton, O. 

Enlisted August 28, 1917. at Silver Lake. ( ). Appointed Musician 3rd Class September 

11, 1917. Appointed Musician 2nd Class September 5, 1918. 
POWELL J. BING, 299 Brehl Ave.. Columbus, O. 

Enlisted June 1. 1917, at Columbus, O., in Battery C, 1st O. F. A. Appointed Musician 

3rd Class August 13, 1918. 
JOHN B. BOLIN. 

Inducted into service at Watseka. 111., June 28, 1918. Assigned to 156th I). B., Camp 

Jackson. S. C. June 28, 1918. Joined Hqs. Co., 134th F. A., at Millery. France, October 

15, 1918. 
ALVIN 1). BORDEN, 157 W. South St.. Akron, (). 

Enlisted November 15, 1915, at Akron, ( ).. in Batten B, 1st O. F. A. Transferred to 

Hqs. Co. August 17. 1918. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 129, November 1. 1918, at 

Vigneulles, France. 
WESLEY E. BOVEY, Barberton, O. 

Enlisted August 22, 1917, at Silver Lake, O. Appointed Musician 3rd Class November 

13. 1917. Appointed Musician 1st Class September 5, 1918. 
HOWARD (). BOWMAN, 532 L. Buchtel Ave., Akron. ( ). 

Enlisted November 15. 1915, in Battery II, 1st O. F. A. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per 

R. S. (). 50. October 21, 1917. Appointed Private 1st Class. August 1. 1918. 
PARKE R. BOYER, 24 Shawe Ave.. Lewistown, Pa. 

Enlisted July 14. 1917, at Akron. (). 
RALPH BRADFORD, Lowell. Wyo. 

Enlisted June 20. 1916. Appointed Corporal Jul) 1. 1918. Transferred to Hqs. Co.. 

134th I'". A., at Lel.ion d'Angers, France. 
ELMER P. BRENFLECK, 235 Pioneer St.. Akron. ( ). 

Enlisted June 2?, 1916, at Briggsdale, < >.. in Batter} C, 1st ( ). F. A. Transferred to 

Hqs. Co. per S. ( ). 60, May 4. 1918. 
EVERETT J. BROWN, 7 Wine St.. Uniontown, La. 

Enlisted July 13. 1917, at Akron. ( ). Appointed 1st Class Private at Camp Marianx. 

France. 
JOSEPH J. BROWN. 1222 Francis St.. Fort Wayne, fnd. 

Inducted into service April 26, 1918, at Fort Wayne, Ind. Transferred from 159th D. B. 

at Camp Xachary Taylor, Ky., to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co., 134th F. A.. May 
18, 1918. 
FLOYD (,. BROWNE. Haskins, ( >. 

Enlisted Juh 26, 1917, at Howling Green. ( >., in Co. Ix. 2nd Ohio Int. Transferred 

to Lt Tr. I'.n.. Camp Sheridan, Depot Brigade, October 4. I'M". Transferred to Co. Ix. 

146th Inf.. October 25. 1917. Transferred to 134th F A. and assigned to Hq. Co. per 

D. S. O. 88. November 29, 1917. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 72. June 1, 1918. 



T H E L I A I S O N 135 

GEORGE H. BULL, 534 Boone St., Piqua, O. 

Enlisted April 16, 1917, in Battery I), 1st O. F. A. Transferred to 62nd F. A. Brig. 

Hdqs. Transferred to Hqs. Co., 134th F. A. Appointed Corporal. 
STANLEY W. BULLARD, c|o X. W. Baldwin, Ellet, ( ). 

Enlisted June 24. 1916, at Akron, O.. in Battery I'.. 1st ( ). F. A. Appointed Sergeant 

and transferred to ll<|s. Co. per R. S. O. 3, January (>. 1918. 
CHARLES E. BULLOCK, 2412 Mahoning Rd. X. !•'... Canton. (). 

Enlisted July 24. 1917, at Akron. ( ). Appointed Private 1st Class October 25. 1917. 

Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 44. April Id. 1918. Appointed Sergeant per R. S. ( >. 

90, August 4. 1918, at Camp de Souge, France. 

EMIL S. BUNGER, 305 S. Main St., Oxford, O. 

Enlisted June <>. 1917, at Dayton, ( ).. in Battery 1), 1st ( ). E. A. Transferred to Hqs. 
Co. per R. S. O. 60, May 4. 1918. 

PAUL II. BURTON, 1928 E 86th St.. Cleveland. ( .). 

Enlisted June 21, 1916, at Cleveland, O., in Battery A, 1st O. F. A. Transferred to 
Hqs. Co. Per R. S. O. 122. October 18. 1918. 
RALPH PL CAXFIEL1), 10022 Pierpont Ave.. Cleveland, O. 

Enlisted May 2H, 1917. at Cleveland. ( ).. in Battery A. 1st O. F. A. Appointed Bugler 
September 6, 1917. Transferred to Hqs. Co. October 18. 1916. Appointed Corporal 
per R. S. O. 89, August 1. 1918, at Camp de Souge, France. 
HERVEY D. CHANDLER, Cadiz, O. 

Enlisted May 25, 1917, it Newark, ( ).. in Battery C. 1st O. I-'. A. Appointed Private 
1st Class November 1, 1917. Appointed Corporal November 1. 1917. Transferred to 
Hqs. Co. per R. S. (). 68, May 18. 1918. 

MAYZOX CHIXXIS. 921 X. 3rd St.. Wilmington, X. C. 

Enlisted July 15. 1917, at Akron. ( ). Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 72. June 1. 1917. 
WILLIAM K. CLEARY. R. I). No. 2. SarahsvilR-. (). 

Inducted into service May 31. 1918, at Caldwell. O., and assigned to F. A. R. I ).. Camp 

Jackson. S. C. June 5. 1918. Joined Hqs. 134th F. A., at Millerv, France, October 

15. 1918. 

FRED S. CLINTON, Gorin, Mo. 

Enlisted July 17. 1917. at Akron, (). Appointed Private 1st Class October 25. 1917. 
Appointed Corporal per R. S. < ). 58. May 1, 1918. Appointed Sergeant per R. S. I >. 90, 
August 4. 1918, at Camp de Souge. France. 

OKEY M. COGAR. Webster Springs, W. \'a. 

Enlisted July 14. 1917. at Akron. ( ). Appointed Corporal per R. S. ( ). 54. October 2<>. 
1917. 

JOHN II. CONEY, 329 W. 113th St.. New York, X. Y. 

Enlisted July 25, 1917. at Akron. (). Appointed Private 1st Class April 2.^. 1918. 
ARTHUR F. COOPER. .U7 Graves Court. Akron, O. 

Enlisted June 19 1916, in Battery 1'.. 1m O. F. A. Transferred to Hqs. Co. October 2?. 

1917. Appointed Corporal June 1. 1918. 

CHARLES S. COY, 424 W. Broadway, Alliance. O. 

Enlisted July 19, 1917. at Akron. ( ). Appointed 2nd Class Musician September 11. 1917. 
Appointed I '.and Sergeant per R. S. (). 92, August 12. 1918. at Camp de Souge, France. 

WILLIAM W. CUMMINS, Mt. Vernon, O. 

Enlisted May 31, 1917, at Mt. Vernon, ( ).. in Battery E, 1st O. F. V Transferred to 
Hqs. Co. January 3, 1918. Appointed Musician 3rd Class March 1. 1918. Appointed 
Musician 2nd Class September 5. 1918. Appointed Band Corporal per R. S. i ). 14.^ 
November 19, Eds. at Camp Marian \. France. 



136 THE LIAISON 

PATRICK DAVITT, Shawnee, O. 

Enlisted August 17. 1917, at New Lexington, <).. in Co. II. 7th Ohio Inf. Transferred 
to Batter) D, 134th F. A.. October 18,1917. Transferred to Hqs. Co. August 1, 1918. 

Appointed Musician 3rd Class August 2, 1918. 
GEORGE R. DEFORREST, 911 \Y. 3rd St.. Barberton, O. 

Fnlisted September 20. V>\7, at Silver Lake, ( ).. and assigned to Battery A. Transferred 

to Supply Co. per R. S. ( ). 32, March 15, 1918. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. 0. 

116, October 14. 1918. 
ANDREW F. DEMSHAW, Lawndale, O. 

Enlisted September 10, 1 ( >17. at Silver Lake. O. Transferred to Lattery P., per R. S. O. 

35, September 25, 1917. Transferred I.. Hqs. Co. per R. S. O. 51, October 22, 1917. 

Appointed Private 1st Class October 25, 1917. 
CLINTON S. DENTY, 2715 14th St. N. \\ '.. Washington, D. C. 

Enlisted July 14. 1917, at Akron, O. 
JAMES DONALDSON, 2 Teulon St.. Kirkdale, Liverpool. England. 

Enlisted September 10, 1917, at Silver Lake, (). Appointed Private 1st Class January 

11, 1918. Appointed Corporal per R. S. ( ). 89, August 1. 1918, at (."amp de Souge, France. 
JOHN RAYMOND Dl'FF. Ill) Coal St., Cuyahoga halls. O. 

Enlisted August 28, 1917, at Silver Lake. O. Appointed Private 1st Class at Camp 

Mariaux, France. 
WILBUR V. DUNN, 67 W. Broad St.. Cuyahoga Falls, O. 

Enlisted in Lattery B for Border Service. Appointed Sergeant. Appointed to Saumur 

Artillery Training School for Officers while in Prance. Attached to Hqs. Co., 134th 

P. A. 
HENRY (". FELTON, 36 Kuder Ave., Akron, ( ). 

Enlisted July L>. 1917, at Akron. ( ). Appointed Musician 3rd (Mass September 11. 

1917. 
EMERSON C. FISHER, 217 5th St. S. W., Canton. O. 

Enlisted July 17, 1 ( '17. at Akron. ( ). Appointed Musician 3rd Class September 11, 1917. 
GEORGE PIT/PATRICK. 531 S. Water St., Kent. ( ). 

Enlisted August 2, 1917. at Silver Lake, O. Appointed Land Sargeant per R. S. O. 27. 

September 13, 1917. 
HENRY A. FLAHARTY, 2.^ N. West St., Mt. Vernon, O. 

Enlisted August 2 ( >, 1917, at Columbus Barracks, O. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 

48. October 18, 1917. 
LAWRENCE P. FLETCHER, 17 Belmont Ave., Mt. Vernon, O. 

Enlisted June 2, 1917, at Mt. Vernon, O., in Lattery P., 1st ( ). P. A. Transferred to 

Hqs. Co. June 4, 1918. Appointed Musician 3rd Class June 12, 1918. 
GEORGE J. FLYNN, lliu Kirkbridge St.. Philadelphia. Pa. 

Enlisted with Battery B for Border Service. Appointed Punier Sergeant at Camp 

Sheridan, Ala. Transferred to Hqs. Co. 
LEO C. FOX. 47 S. Bell St.. Columbus, O. 

Enlisted June- 24. 1916, at Columbus, O., in Lattery C, 1st O. F. A. Appointed Bugler 

June 6, 1917. Transferred to Hq. Co. per R. S. O. 68, May 18, 1918. 
HOMER IP FRANKENSTEIN. 1022 Duber Ave. S. W '.. Canton. O. 

Enlisted July 17, 1917, at Akron, O. Appointed Horseshoer February 6, 1918 
STANLEY K. FRATER,, 516 E. Market St., Akron. ( ). 

Enlisted July 19, 1917, at Akron, O. Appointed Musician 2nd Class. September 11. 1917. 

Appointed Laud Corporal per R. S. O. n 2. August 12, 1918 at Camp <\c Souge, Prance. 
HAROLD J. FREDERICK, 10517 Orville Ave., Cleveland. O. 

Enlisted May 8, 1917, at Cleveland, t >.. in Hqs. Co., 135th P. A. Appointed Musician 3rd 

Class July 14. 1917. Transferred to 134th P. A. and assigned to Hqs. Co. November 2. 

I'M". Appointed Musician 2nd Class November 13. 1917. 



T H E L I A I S O N 137 

JOHN R. FRIEL, Altoona, Pa. 

Enlisted Juno 21, 1916, at Akron, ().. in Battery B, 1st O. !•". A. Appointed Cook June 
21, 1916. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per Bn. S. O. 2. July 10, 1917. Appointed Color 

Sergeant per R. S. ( ). 2, August 10, 1917. 
CLEO W. FRY, 21 \V. BANCROFT St.. Toledo (). 

Enlisted May 2?. 1917. at Camp Perry, ( ). Appointed Sergeant per R. S. ( ). 12. August 

13, 1917. 
EARSLE R. FRYE, 19()4 Boulevard, Kenmore, ( ). 

Enlisted July 17. 1917, at Akron, ( ). Appointed Band Corporal per R. S. O. 27. 

September 13, 1917. Appointed Rand Sergeant per R. S. O. 92, August 12, 1918, at 

Camp de Souge, France. 
LOUIS M. GILLESPIE, 338 Atwood Place. Akron, O. 

Enlisted June 4, 1917, at Camp Perry, O. Appointed First Sergeant per R. S. ( ). 2. 

August 10. 1917. 
PERCY A. GIRT, 1639 Bryan Ave.. Canton, ( ). 

Enlisted July 25. 1917. at Akron. O. Appointed Mechanic October 2?. 1917. 
WTLLARD P. GOUDY. 204 4th St. X. E., Canton, ( ). 

Enlisted in July, 1917, at Akron, O. 

HUBERT F. GRAGE <>2? \Y. Jefferson St.. Fort Wayne, fnd 

Inducted into service April 26, 1918, at Fort Wayne, End. Transferred from 159 I >. P. 
at Camp Zacharv Taylor, Kv.. to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co.. 134th F. A.. Mav 
IX. 1918. 

HARRY W. GREENBURG, 207 Ash St.. Akron. O. 

Enlisted in Battery P at Cam]) Perry. ()., June 5. 1917. Appointed Private 1st Class 
October 26, 1918. Appointed Corporal per R. S. (). 60, November S. 1917. Trans- 
ferred to Hqs. Co. and appointed Sergeant per R. S. O. 24. March 1. 1918. appointed 
Reg. Sgt-.Major per R. S. O. 58, May 1. 1918. 

CLETUS H. GRIFFITH, Oakland. Md. 

Enlisted July 13, 1917, at Akron, O. Appointed Private 1st Class October 25. 1917. 

HENRY GRIGSBY, Owensville, End. 

Inducted into service April 29. 1918, at Princeton, Ind. Transferred from 159 1 >. B 
at Camp Taylor. Ky.. to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co., 134th F. A.. May 22. 1918. 

CLYDE II. GRIMM, Smithfield, Pa. 

Enlisted August 28, 1917, at Silver Lake. ( ). Appointed Musician 3rd Class September 
11, 1917. Appointed Band Corporal per R. S. ( ). hi. November 13. 1917. Reduced to 
Private at his own request and appointed Musician 1st Class November 19, 1918. 

CYRIL A. GUTHRIE, ^25 X. Elm St.. Bellefontaine, O. 

Enlisted June 11. 1917. in Supply Co. Transferred to Hqs. Co. October 13. 1917 
Appointed Musician 3rd Class October 13. 1917. Appointed Musician 1st Class, Septem- 
ber 5. 1918. 

CHESTER L, HABLE, 3021 7th Si. S. W„ Canton. ( ). 

Enlisted July 17, 1917, at Akron, ( ). Appointed Private 1st Class October 2?. 1917. 

Appointed Horseshoer March 6, 1918. 
FRANCIS M. HALE, Russell Springs, Ky. 

Inducted into service April 2d. 1918, at Jamestown. Ky. Transferred from 159 | ). B. 

at Camp Taylor, Ky., to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co.. 134th F. A.. Max 17. 1918. 
MARTI X I). HANEY, Plain City. ( ). 

Enlisted June 22. 1916, at Columbus, < >.. in Batterj C. 1st < ). p. \. Transferred to 

Hqs. I'm. per R. S. o. 28, September 28, I'M 7. 
WILLIAM E. HARLOR, 1504 Oak St.. Columbus, O 
Enlisted August 16, 1915, at Briggsdale, O., in Battery C, 1st ( ). F. A. Appointed Bugler 

June 2.^. 1917. Transferred to ETqs. Co. per R. S. O. 56, November 5. 1917. 



138 



THE LIAISON 



WILLIAM (i. HARRIS, 783 Upson St., Akron, O. 

Enlisted July 14. 1917 at Akron, O. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 47, October 18, 
1917. 

ERSKINE A. HART. 

Enlisted April 16, 1 ( »17. at Dayton. ().. in Lattery 1 >. 1st O. L. A. Transferred t<> 
ll(|s. Co. per R. S. < >. 60, Ma\ 4. 1918. Appointed Private 1st Class August 1, 1918. 

JOHN \Y. HAUCK, 1325 DeBarr St.. Louisville, Ky. 
Enlisted September 4, 1917, at Silver Lake. ( ). 

WALTER (i. HEIDEN, 1515 W. 19th St., Anderson. Ind. 

[nducted into service April 25, 1918. Transferred from 159th I >. B. at Camp Taylor, 
Ky.. to 37th Div. and assigned to Battery C, 134th F. A.. May 19, 1918. Transferred 
to Hqs. Co. August 1, 1918. Appointed Musician 3rd Class August 2. 1918. 

GABRIEL II1RSCII, 115 W. Ray St.. Indianapolis. Ind. 

Indneted into service April 26, 1918. Transferred from 159th D. B. at Camp Taylor 
Ky., to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co.. 134th F. A., May 17. 1918. Appointed 
Musician 3rd Class August 1. 1918. 

WILBUR E. HOFFMAN, 1006 Greenfield Ave. S. W., Canton. ( ). 

Enlisted September 24. 1917, at Silver Lake. ( ).. Appointed Mechanic October 12. 1917. 

<>\ID E. HOOD. 2(^22 Columbus Ave.. Anderson, Ind. 

Inducted into service April 25. 1918. Transferred from 159th D. B. at Camp Taylor, 
Ky.. to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co., 134th F. A.. May 22, 1918. 

MARK W. HOUSER, 31S W. Laird Ave., Barberton, O. 

Enlisted July 16, 1917, at Akron, ( ). Appointed Land Corporal per R. S. < >. 27. Septem- 
ber 13. 1917. 

ROY C. HOUSER, 220 X. Balliet St.. Frackville, Pa. 

[nducted into service June 17. 1918, and assigned to F. A. R. D. at Camp Jackson, S. C. 
August 15. 1918. Joined Hqs. Co.. 134th F. A. at Millery, France, October 15. 1918. 

H. \. HOWELL, 255 Union St., Cuyahoga kails. Ohio. 

Enlisted August 28, 1917, at Silver Lake, O. Appointed Private 1st Class April Id. 
1918. Appointed Corporal at Camp Stuart. \'a.. March. 1919. 

HENRY (,. HUDSON. Petros, Term. 

Enlisted September 10, 1917. at Silver Lake. ( >. Assigned to Battery li, 134th F. A. 

September 15. 1917. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. ( ). (i). May 4. 1918. Appointed 

Private 1st Class August 1. 1918. 
GLENN K. HUNSINGER, 209 W. Ray St.. St.. Oxford (). 

Enlisted June 4. 1<M7. in Batten D. 1st O. F. \. Appointed Private 1st Class November 

1, 1917. Transferred to ll<|s. Co. per R. S. O. 60, May 4. 1918. Appointed Corporal 

per R. S. O. 45. March 27, 1919. 
HERBERT L. HUPRICH, 843 S. Market St.. Canton, O. 

Enlisted July 2'?. 1917. at Akron. (). 

HERBERT W. HUTCHINSON, 167 Chirnell St.. Philadelphia, La. 

Enlisted Jul\ 17. 1917, at Akron, o. Appointed Musician 2nd Class September 11. 1917. 

PERCY W. JACKSON', 1513 Duber Ave. S. \\ .. Canton, O. 

Enlisted June 5. 1917. at Camp Perry, O., in Battery B, 1st O. F. A. Appointed Private 
1st C1as> October 2d. 1917. Transferred to ll(|s. Co. per R. S. O. <>(>. May 4. 1918. 
Appointed Corporal per R. S. o. 89, August 1. 1918, at Camp de Souge, France. 

R.HUE JACKS* >N, Owensburg, Ind. 

Inducted into service April 29, 1918. 'Transferred from 159th D. B. at Cam], Taylor, 
Ky., to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co., 134th F. A., May 19, 1918. 

\LEXANDER D. JEFFERSON, R. 1 >. No. 2. Moundsville, W. Va. 
Enlisted fitly 13, 1917. at Akron. ( I. 



THE LIAISON 139 

GARRETT C. JOACHIM. 67 Cole St., Cuyahoga Falls. ( ). 

Enlisted July 16, 1917, at Akron. ( ). Appointed Musician 3rd Class September 11, 1 ( >17. 

Appointed Musician 1st Class September 5, 1918. 
JOHN R. JONES, 98 X. Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. ( ). 

Enlisted July 13, 1917. at Akron. ( ). Appointed Cook October 2. 1917. Appointed 

Mess Sergeant per R. S. 0. 94, August 14. 1918. at Camp de Souge, France. 
PAUL M. JOXFS, 847 W. Main St., Ravenna, O. 

Enlisted June 22, 19K>. at Akron, ( .).. in Battery B, 1st ( ). F. A. Transferred to Mqs. 

Co. per R. S. O. 23, September 14. 1917. Appointed Private 1st Class August 1. 1918. 

Appointed Courier. 
JAMFS P. JUDGE, 112 W. North St.. Akron, O. 

Enlisted July 15, 1917. at Akron. (). Appointed Hand Sergeant per R. S. O. 40, October 

4, 1917. Reduced to Private at bis own request per R. S. ( >. 89, August 1. 1918. 
LORIN E. K1RTLFY, 50 Spruce St.. Akron, O. 

Enlisted July 14, 1917. at Akron. O. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 23, September 

7. 1917. Appointed Sergeant per R. S. ( ). 5, January 19, 1918. Appointed Bn. Sgt.- 

Major per R. S. ( >. KM). September 1, 1918, at Camp de Souge, France. 
IK A ECLINGENSMITH, Duvall, O. 

Enlisted March 7. 1918, at Columbus I'.arracks. O.. and assigned to Hqs. Co., 134th F. A.. 

at Canq) Sheridan. Ala.. March 12. 1918. Appointed Private 1st Class October 23. 1918. 
FREEMONT R. KNICK, 2510 S. F St.. Elwood, Ind. 

Inducted into service April 25, 1918. Transferred from 159th 1). 11. at Camp Taylor, 

Ky., to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co.. 134th F. A.. May 21. 1918. 
EMIL KROLL, 606 Howard St.. Hammond. Ind. 

Inducted into service April 27. 1918. Transferred from 159th 1). P>. at Camp Taylor. 

Ky., to 37th Div. and assigned t<> Battery C. 134th F. A. Transferred to Hqs. Co 

per R. S. O. 89, August 1. 1918. Appointed Musician 3rd Class August 2. 1918. 
GEORGE J. LARKO, 1391 Curtiss St. So. Akron. O. 

Enlisted July 17, 1917. at Akron. O. Appointed Musician 3rd Class September 11. 

1917. Appointed Musician 2nd Class September 5, 1918. 
WALTER P. LASH. 917 Duber Ave. S. VY.. Canton, O. 

Enlisted July 18. 1917. at Akron, O. Appointed Corporal per R. S. ( >. 47, October 18, 

1917. Appointed Sergeant per R. S. O. 72, June 1. 1918 

JOSEPH J. RACER, Ottoville. O. 

Enlisted July 2?\ 1917. in Co. M. 2nd Ohio Inf. Transferred to Co. K. 146th Inf.. Octo- 
ber 25. 1917. Transferred to Hqs. Co., 134th F. A.. November, 1917. 

CARL F. LOEWENDICK, 406 W. Church St.. Newark, O. 

Enlisted May 21, 1917. in Battery C. 1st ( ). 1*". A. Appointed Private 1st Class December 
1. 1918. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. ( ). 89. August 1. 1918. Appointed Musician 
3rd Class August 2, 1918. 

EDWARD W. LONG, 731 Union Ave. S. \\\. Canton. O. 

Enlisted July 24. 1917. at Akron. ( >. Appointed Private 1st Class November 26, 1917. 
Appointed Saddler March 20, 1918. 

HARLEY L. LONG, Lawndale, ( >. 

Enlisted July 17. 1 ( M7. at Akron. ( ). Appointed Hand Leader per R. S. O. 27. Septem- 
ber 13. 1917. 

GUY II. LONG, hoi Van Buren St.. Louisville Ky. 

Enlisted September 6, 1917, at Silver Lake. ( ). Appointed Cook June 12, 1918. 

I. \\\ RENCE L. LONG, Lawndale, O. 

Enlisted July 17. l l »17. at Akron. ( ). Appointed Musician 1st Class September 11. 

1917. 



140 THE LIAISON 

I LIVER LONGEST, Vincennes, tnd. 

Inducted into service April 29, 1918. Transferred from 15 ( > 1). B. at Camp Taylor, Ky., 

to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co., 134th F. A., May 19, 1918. 
JOHN J. MACK. 366 Fulton St., Buffalo, \. Y. 

Enlisted June 29, 1 * > 1 < >. in Battery A. 1st O. F. A. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. O. 

28, September 14. 1917. 
KARL II. MACK, 50 S. Eureka Ave. Columbus, O. 

Enlisted June 1. 1917, in Batter} C, 1st O. F. A. Appointed Bugler December 18, 1917. 

Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. O. 92, August 10, 1918. Appointed Musician 3rd 

Class August 13, 1918. 
NORMAN S. MACK. 50 S. Eureka Ave.. Columbus, O. 

Enlisted June 1, 1917, in Battery C. 1st O. F. A. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. O. 

2, August 10, 1917. 
LEO T. MANLEY, 1402 Scoville Ave. S. \\ '.. Canton, O. 

Enlisted July 17. 1917. Appointed Musician 3rd Class September 12, 1917. Trans- 
ferred to Battery B as Private per R. S. O. 60, May 4, 1918. Transferred to Hqs. Co. 
per R. S. (). 73, June 4. 1918. Appointed Musician 3d Class June 12, 1918. 
ELMER C. MARKHOFER, M7 E. 5th St., Jasper. Ind. 

Inducted into service April 26, 1918. Transferred from 159th D. B. at Camp Taylor, 

Ky., to 37th Div. and assigned to Battery A, 134th F. A., May 17. 1918. Transferred to 

Hqs. Co. per R. S. O. 79, June 18, 1918. 
FRANK J. MARLEY, 1934 Bainbridge St., Philadelphia, Pa. 

Inducted into service May 31, 1918, and assigned to F. A. K. i). at Camp Jackson, S. ('.. 

June 8, 1918. Joined Hqs. Co., 134th F. A., at Millery. France, October 15, 1918. 
ROBERT S. M ERR ELL, 165 X. Prospect St., Ravenna, Ohio. 

Enlisted May 3, 1017. in Battery B, 1st O. F. A. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. O. 

58, November 5, 1917. Transferred to Battery D per R. S. O. 10, January 24. 1918. 

Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. O. 84, July 19, 1918. 
LAWRENCE C. MERTZ, 809 S. Erie St., Toledo. O. 

Enlisted May 28, 1917, at Camp Perry, O. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 2, August 

11, 1 ( »17. Appointed Sergeant per R. S. O. 38, October 1. 1 ( >17. Appointed Bn. Sgt.- 

Major at Camp de Sonne, France, per R. S. ( ). 89, August 1, 1918. 
EMLYN S. MEYLER, 804 Meridian Ave., N. Anderson. Ind. 

Inducted into service April 25. 1918. Transferred from 159th I >. B. at Camp Taylor, 

Ky., to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co., 134th F. A., Ma\ 21, 1918. 
CHARLES II. MILLER, 1(>4 Arch St.. Akron, ( >. 

Enlisted September 5. 1917, at Silver Lake. (). 
DONALD II. MILLER, 697 W. Market St., Akron. O. 

Enlisted November 15. 1915, in Batten I'., 1st ( ). F. \. Transferred to Supply Co. 

per R. S. O. 7. January 17. 1918. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. ( ). 60, May 4, 1018. 
RALPH R. MILLER, 14 Milliard St.. !■'.. Akron. O. 

Enlisted Jul) 14. 1917. Appointed Private 1st Class October 25. 1°17. Appointed Cor- 
poral per R. S. ( ). 72, June 1, 1917. 
ROBERT \\ . MILLER, 40 S. 3rd St., Columbus, O. 

Enlisted October 5. 1917, in Batter) B, 134th F. A. Transferred to ll<|s. Co. per R. S. O. 

60, May 4, 1918. Appointed Private 1st Clas~ August 1, 1918. 
EARL C. MOORE, 1528 Creston Rd.. Cambridge O. 

Enlisted July 24. 1<M7. at Akron, ( ). Appointed Private 1st Class October 25. 1917. 
Appointed Corporal per R. S. ( >. 100, September 1, 1918, at Camp de Souge, France 
WILLI CM F. MOORE, 54 S. Water St., Cuyahoga kails. ( '). 

Enlisted July 13, 1917, at Akron. ().. Appointed Private 1st Class October 25. 1017. 
Appointed Cook November 26, 1917. 



THE LIAISON 141 

JOHN J. MULLANE, 1622 School St.. Rockford, 111. 

Inducted into service June 24, 1918. and assigned to 156 D. B. at Camp Jackson, S. C 

Joined Hqs. Co., 134th F. A., at Millery, France, October 15, 1918. 
GEORGE W. MYERS, 468 Carthage Ave., Kent, 0. 

Enlisted April 28, 1917. at Ravenna. ()., in Co. M. 10th Ohio Int. Transferred to Hqs. 

Co.. 134th F. A., per I). S. ( ). 90, November 29. 1917. Appointed Musician 3rd Class 

February 12. 1918. Appointed Band Corporal per R. S. (). 92, August 12. 1918, at Camp 

de Souge, France. 
ROBERT I). MYERS, 751 Brown St., Akron, O. 

Enlisted September 6, 1917. at Silver Lake. O. Appointed Private 1st Class October 

2?. 1917. 
VIRGIL C. McAVOY, R. F. 1). No. 8, Parkersburg, W. Va. 

Enlisted August 28, 1917, at Silver Lake. ( ). Appointed Private 1st Class January 11. 

1918. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 72, June 1, 1918. 
FRANK McCOY, Bangor, Me. 

Joined Hqs. Co. in France from a Replacement Regiment. 
BYRON R. McELWEE, New Albany, O. 

Enlisted .May 29, 1917, in Battery C, 1st O. F. A. Appointed Private 1st Class July 

20, 1917. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. (). 89, August 1, 1918. Appointed Musician 

3rd Class August 2, 1918. 
GILBERT O. McQUAID, 239 S. Warren St.. Columbus, O. 

Enlisted May 1, 1915, in Battery C, 1st O. F. A. Appointed Corporal September 20. 

1916. Appointed Sergeant May 11, 1917. Appointed First Sergeant November 22. 

1917. Transferred to Hqs. Co. and appointed Color Sergeant per R. S. O. 89, August 
1. 191S. at Camp de Souge, France. 

EDWIN A. NEUBARTH, 330 Wall St.. c|o Mr. A. L. Neubarth, Chico, Cal. 

Enlisted December 4. 1916, in Hqs. Co.. 2nd Cal. Inf. Transferred to Hqs. Co., 159th 

Inf., December 26, 1917. Transferred to 84th Div., Camp Taylor, Ky.. March S. 1918. 

Transferred to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co. 134th F. A.. May 17. 1918. Ap- 
pointed Musician 3rd Class June 12. 1918. Appointed Musician 2nd Class, September 

5. 1918. 
MILLER J. NEWTON, Morrow. ( ). 

Enlisted May 14. 1917, in Batten I >. 1st O. F. A. Transferred to Hq. Co. per R. S. O. 

(.(), M.,y 4. 1918. Appointed Corporal per R. S. ( ). 146, December 1, 1918. 
\l \X S. NIEDBALSKI, 3914 E. 66th St.. Cleveland, O. 

Enlisted. Transferred to Hqs. Co. from Supply Co. per S. ( ). 2.^. February 11, I'M". 

and appointed Private 1st Class. 
[OHN M. NUCKOLS, 2'?' j W. 2nd St., Dayton. ( ). 

Enlisted April 16, 1917, in Batten D, 1st O. F. A. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. O. 

60, May 4, 1918. 
LESTER C. OLINGER, S()7 Rex Ave. X. I"... Canton. ( ). 

Enlisted July 14, 1917, at Akron, (). Appointed Private 1st Class September 6, 1917. 

Appointed Corporal per P. S. < ). 47. October 18, 1917. 
( ;E< >RI .!•: L. PAGE, Indianapolis, tnd. 

Inducted into service April 26, 1918. Transferred from 159th D. B. at (/amp Taylor, 

Ky., to 37th Div. and assigned to Battery C, 134th F. V. May 18, 1918. Transferred to 

I his. Co per P. S. O. 89, August 1, 1918. appointed Musician 3rd Class August 2. 1918. 
GEORGE W. POINTS. 72 Dodge Ave., Akron. ( ). 

Enlisted September 14. 1917, at Silver Lake. O. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 47. 

October 18. 1917. Appointed Stable Sergeanl per R. S. O. 72, June 1. 1918. 
STARLING J. POPE, 24 X. Balch St.. Akron, (). 

Inducted into service Jul) 24. 1918, and assigned to 156th D. P.. at Camp Jackson, S. O. 

Julv Jo. 1918. Joined Hqs. Co., 134th F. V. at Millery, France, October 15. PUS. 



142 



THE LIAISON 



LOUIS PURS1AN, 598 E. Elm St., Wabash, tnd. 

Inducted into service April 26, 1918. Transferred from 159th I >. B. at Camp Taylor, 

Ky., t«. 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co., 134th I'. A.. May 17. 1918. 
ELMER VV. RADABAUGH, 1019 Monroe St.. Nashville, Tenn. 

Inducted into service June 17. 1918, and assigned to I . A. R. I ).. tamp Jackson, S. ( '.. 

lime 26, 1918. Joined Hqs. Co., 134th F. A., at Millery, France, October 15. 1918. 
HARRY R. RAINES, 221 Institute Place, Chicago, 111. 

Enlisted February 11. 1918, and assigned to Hqs. Co., 136th F. A., at Camp Sheridan, 

\la. Transferred to I I < | s. Co.. 134th F. A.. October 4. 1918. Appointed Musician 3rd 

Class November .1 1918. 
RALPH RENNER, 911 Camden Ave.. S. \Y.. Canton, (). 

Enlisted July 24. 1917, at Akron, 0. 
RUSSELL RENNER, R. F. 1 >. No. 1, North Canton, < ). 

Enlisted July 25. 1917. Appointed Cook September 6, 1917. Reduced to Private at his 

own request November 2<>. 1917. Appointed Cook August 14. 1918. 
EDWARD C. I- RESENER, 1631 Park Ave.. Indianapolis, [nd. 

Inducted into service April 25, 1918, and assigned to 159th I >. I'.. at Camp Taylor, Ky. 

Transferred to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co.. 134th F. A., .May 23. 1918. Ap- 
pointed Musician 3rd Class June 12. 1918. Appointed Musician 2nd Class. September 5, 

1918. 
]•;. C. RETZLER, 709 W. 5th St.. Uhrichsville, 0. 

Enlisted June 27. l u l<>. in Battery C, 1st O. F. A. Appointed Private 1st Class Novem- 
ber 1. 1017. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. ( ). 60, May 4. 1918. 
FRED \\ . REYNOLDS, 603 Chestnut St.. Coshocton, O. 

Enlisted April 2X, 1917, in Battery I), 1st O. F. A. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per R. S. ( ). 

(i). May 4, 1918. 
DAVID E. RHODES, R. D. No. 14. Mt. Vernon, [nd. 

Inducted into service April 2<», 1918. Transferred from 159th I ). B. at Camp Tax lor. 

Ky., to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co.. 134th F. A.. May 17. 1918. 
MORGAN A. KIN<.<>. c|o Goodyear Rubber Co.. Akron. ( ). 

Enlisted in Hqs. Co. Appointed Sergeant. Transferred to Motor Training School 

while at Camp de Souge, France. Transferred back to ll<|s. Co., 134th F. A. 
RUSSELL ROOKSTOOL, Arcanum, (). 

Enlisted July 3. 1917, in Battery D, 1st ( ). F. A. Transferred to Hqs. Co. and appointed 

Corporal per R. S. < ). 3''. October 2, 1917. Appointed Sergeant per R. S. O. 3. January 

6, 1918. 
GEORGE II. ROOS, 45 Woodland, Akron, O. 

Enlisted Juh 24. 1917. Appointed Corporal per R. S. ( >. 2?,. 1"17. 
FRANK II. SCHELLIN, S30 Sumner St.. Akron. ( ). 

Enlisted July 13. 1917. Appointed Private 1st Class September 6, 1 (| 17. Appointed 

Corporal per R. S. < >. 4. Januan 8, 1918. 
ALVIN F. SCI I. MITT. 202 S. Front St.. Cuyahoga Falls, O. 

Enlisted August 28, 1 ( '17. at Silver Lake. O. Appointed Private 1st Class January 3. 

1918. Appointed Cook May 2. 1918. 
ADAM J. SCHULTZ, W S. 7th Ct., Cuyahoga Falls, O. 

Enlisted August 28, 1"17. Appointed Private 1st Class August 1. 1918. 
HERBERT II. SCHULTZ, 821 Avon St.. Akron, ( ). 

Enlisted Januan 5. 1918, at Ft. Thomas, Ky. Assigned to Hqs. Co.. 134th F. A. Febru- 
ary 12. 1918. Appointed Musician 3rd Class March 1. 1918. Appointed Hand Corporal 

per R. S. ( ). 92, August 12, 1918, at Camp de Souge, France. 
JAMES SECCOMBE, 121(1 4th St. S. \Y., Canton, O. 

Enlisted fitly 17. l n 17. at Akron. O. 



THE LIAISON 143 

HOWARD A. SENN, 70 Payne Ave.. Cuyahoga Falls, O. 

Enlisted July 16, 1917. Appointed Private 1st Class August 1, 1918. 
WILLIAM McK. SHARP. Salineville, O. 

Enlisted July 30, 1917. Transferred to Battery I!. September 16, 1917. Transferred to 

llqs. Co. Maj 4. 1918. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 89. August 1, 1918, at Camp de 

Souge, France. 
WILLIAM E. SHEIL, 1209 12th St. X. E., Canton. ( ). 

Enlisted July 24, 1917. at Akron. (). \ppointed Private 1st Class September <>. 1917. 

Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 47, October IX, 1917. Appointed Sergeant per R. S. O. 

58, May 1, 1918. Appointed Supply Sergeant June 2. 1918. 
BOYD SICKAFOOSE, South Whitney, Ind. 

Enlisted July Id, 1917. Appointed Musician 3rd Class September 11. 1917. Appointed 

Musician 2nd Class September 5, 1918. 
RALPH II. SLEFFEL, Columbus, O. 

Enlisted June 30, 1916, in Battery C, 1st ( ). F. A. Appointed Bugler January 23, 1917. 

Appointed Sgt.-1'.ugler per R. S. ( ). 70. May 21. 1918. 
GEORGE C. SLE1CHER, Eddyville, Neb. 

Enlisted June 10. 1918. at Ft. Logan, Neb., and assigned to F. A. R. I).. Camp Jackson. 

S. C, June 14, 1918. Joined llqs. Co., 134th F. A., at Millery, l-'rance, Octoher 15. 1918. 
CHESTER I). SMITH. State St.. R. 1). No. .U. Barherton. O. 

Enlisted July 17, 1917, at Akron. (). Appointed Musician 3rd Class Septemher 11. 1917. 
LAWRENCE SMITH, R. F. 1). No. 7. Canton, O. 

Enlisted July 15. 1917. Appointed Land Corporal per R. S. O. 27. Septemher 13. 1917. 
EDWIN O. SPINNER, Lincoln City. Ind. 

Inducted into service April 2K 1918. Transferred from 159th 1). B., Camp Taylor. Ky.. 

to 37th Div. and assigned to Lattery A, 134th L. A., May 22, 1918. Transferred to 

Hqs. Co. per R. S. O. 89, August 1, 1918. Appointed Musician 3rd Class, Aug. 2. 1918 
WALDO E. STEPHENS, Delaware. ()., Sunbury Pike. 

Inducted into service at Camp Sheridan, Ala.. May 10, 1917. Appointed Private 1st 
Class August I. 1918. Appointed Corporal per R. S. (). 107, Septemher 18, 1918, at 
Camp de Souge, France. 

PAUL B. SUTTON, Crooksville, O. 

Enlisted July 3. 1917. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 48, October 18, 1917. 
EARL I-.. TAYLOR, 428 Brunner St.. Akron, O. 

Enlisted July 14, 1917. at Akron. O. Appointed Private 1st Class August 1. 1917 

Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 45. March 27. 1919. 
FLOYD W. TAYLOR, 300 W. Center St.. Akron. ( ). 

Enlisted July 15, 1917. Transferred to Battery D. 134th I'. A., per R. S. ( ). 60, May 4. 

1918. Transferred to llqs. Co. 
FR WCIS M. THAYER, Lafayette. (). 

Inducted into service July 24. 1918, and assigned to 156th D. B. at Camp Jackson. S. G. 

July 27. 1918. Joined llqs. Co.. 134th I-. A., at Millery, France, Octoher 15. 1918. 
GEORGE L. THOMAS, 1280 Central Ave.. Zanesville, O. 

Enlisted July 13. 1 ( '17. Transferred to Lattery G September 15. 1917. Transferred to 

I Iqs. Co. November 20. 1918. 

GEORGE L. THOMPSON, Moorehead, Minn. 

Enlisted July 5. 1917, at Cleveland, ().. in Battery B, 1st O. F. A. Transferred to Hqs. 

Co. per R. S. o. 23, September 14. 1917. Appointed Private 1st Class October 25, 1917 
WILLIAM II. TRIMMER, 8004 Cory We.. Cleveland. O. 

Enlisted Septemher 10. 1917, at Silver Lake. O. 



144 



THE LIAISON 



FLOYD i.. TRUMP, 1015 Liberty Ave-., Alliance, O. 

Enlisted Jul\ 30, 1917, at Silver Lake, 0. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 47, 

October 18, 1917. 
HUBERT M. TUSSEY, McAlerys Fort, Huntingdon County, Pa. 

Inducted into service- Juh 24, 1918, and assigned to 156th I). B., Camp Jackson, S. O. 

July 25, 1918. Joined Hqs. Co., 134th F. A., at Millery, France, October 15, 1918. 
DONALD M. VANCE, 160 W. Winter St., Delaware. (). 

Inducted into service March 4. 1918, having enlisted in June. 1917, in the Calif. X. ( •. 

Assigned to Battery C, 134th F. A.. March 25, 1918. Transferred to Hqs. Co. per 

R. S. O. 60, May 4, 1918. Appointed Musician 3rd Class August 1, 1918. 
ALBERT W. WAGNER, 1168 Oakwood Ave., Toledo. O. 

Enlisted May 28, 1917, at Camp Perry, O. Appointed Sergeant per R. S. O. 12. August 

12. 1917. Appointed Reg. Sgt.-Major August 1. 1918, at (/amp de Souge, France. 
CLARENCE L. WALKER, 92 Brick St.. Cuyahoga Falls, O. 

Enlisted November 15, 1915, in Batten I'.. 1st O. F. A. Appointed Cook November 1, 
1916. Transferred to Hqs. Co. and appointed Mess Sergeant per R. S. ( >. 25. September 
25. 1917. Relieved as Mess Sergeant and appointed Duty Sergeant August, Wis. 

(, \RRETT M. WALKER, Albion, 111. 

Enlisted June 4. 1918, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and assigned to F. A. R. I)., Camp 
Jackson. S. C. June 7. 1918. Joined Hqs. Co.. 134th F. A., at Millery, France, October 
15, 1918. 

HENRY E. WAMSLEY, Arthur. 111. 
Enlisted Juh IX. 1917, at Akron, ( >. Appointed Band Sergeant per R. S. ( ). 27. September 

13, 1917. Appointed Sgt.-Bugler per R. S. O. 40, October 4. 1917. Appointed Asst. 
Rand Reader per R. S. ( >. 70, May 21, 1918. 

DWIGHT L. WATSON. 302 Young Ave. S. E., Canton. ( .). 

Enlisted July 14, 1917. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 47. October 18, 1917. 
JOSEPH II. WERNERT, 419 Vance St., Toledo, 0. 

Enlisted May 28, 1917, at Cam]) Perry, O. Appointed Sergeant per R. S. 0. 12. August 

15, 1917. 

ALBERT 15. WHALEN, 474 Klin- St.. Akron, O. 

Enlisted September 5. 1917. Appointed Private 1st Class October 25. 1917. Appointed 

Corporal per R. S. O. 89, August 1. 1918, at Camp de Souge, France. 
RALPH 0. WHITACRE. 1266 Cottage Place X. W., Canton, O. 

Enlisted July 14. 1917. Appointed Private 1st ('lass September 6, 1917. Appointed 

Corporal per R. S. ( ). 47. October IS. 1917. Appointed Sergeant per R. S. O. 100. 

September 1. 1918. at Camp de Souge, France. 
JOHN W. WIEBELT, R. I). No. 1. Box No. 96, Ravenna, O. 

Enlisted August 28, 1918, at Silver Lake. < ). 
JOHN J. WILDERMAN, oil Centennial St.. Grortburg, [nd. 

Enlisted July 19, 1917. Appointed Musician 3rd Class September 11. 1917. 
1 DMUND S. WILHELM, Justus. I I. 

Enlisted September 3, 1917, at Silver Lake. O. Appointed Private 1st Class October 

25. 1017. Appointed Corporal per R. S. 0. 24. March 1, 1918. Appointed Color Sgt. 

per R. S. ( ». 45. March 27. 1918. 
i WILS II. WILLIAMS, Dudley, 111. 

Inducted into service April 27. LOS. Transferred from 159 I ». Ik. Camp Taylor, K\ .. 

to 57th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co.. 134th F. A., May 17. 1918. 
LLOYD M. WILLIAMS, 564 S. Ohio Ave.. Columbus. O. 

Enlisted Ma> 28, 1917, at Camp Perry, O. Appointed Private 1st Class October 25, 1917. 
VN.LL WISE. 1011 W. Market St.. Akron. 0. 

Enlisted in Batten B for Border Service. Appointed to Saumer Artillery Training 

Cam]! for Officers. Transferred to Hqs. Co. 



THE LIAISON 145 

HARRY E. WISE, 715 Harrison Ave. S. W., Canton. O. 

Enlisted July 16, 1917. Appointed Corporal per R. S. 0. 47, October 18, 1917. 
RALPH E. WISE, 715 Harrison Ave. S. W., Canton, 0. 

Enlisted July 14. 1917. Appointed Corporal per R. S. O. 47. October 18, 1917. 
DANIEL WOOTEN, Wooten, Ky. 

Inducted into service April 26, 1918. Transferred from 159th D. B., Camp Taylor, Ky., 

to 37th Div. and assigned to Hqs. Co.. 134th F. A., May 17, 1918. 
ARTHUR A. WOWRA, 143 Range St.. Barberton, O. 

Enlisted July 16, 1917, at Akron. O. 
HARRY W. YOUNG, 1005 W. Duncannon St., Philadelphia. Pa. 

Enlisted November 6, 1917. at Camp Sheridan, Ala. Appointed Musician 1st Class 

November 13, 1917. Appointed Band Sgt. per R. S. O. 92. August 12. 1918. at Camp 

de Songe, France. 
IRA D. ZE1GLER, 331 Spring St., Middletown, O. 

Enlisted July 13, 1917. Appointed Private 1st Class August 1. 1918. 




The olive branch now sways beside the valiant lily, 

The mighty ea^le now floats proudly home across the sea, 

The world enlightened with a radiance dearly paid for, 
The dawn of peace eternal, life, prosperity. 



SECTION V 



Personal Diary 



